LAST UPDATE | 2 Jul

FORMER LEADERS OF the Social Democrats TDs Catherine Murphy and Róisín Shortall have announced that they will not contest the next general election. 

The pair made the announcement this morning saying it is time for a new generation to take over. 

Party leader Holly Cairns described Murphy and Shortall as trailblazers in Irish politics.

“I can say that I would not be in politics were it not for Catherine and Róisín’s decision to set up the Social Democrats. Their commitment to public service, belief in the possibility of a fairer society and dedication to strictly adhering to social democratic principles were, and are, an inspiration to me and many others,” Cairns said. 

The duo set up the Social Democrats in 2015 alongside then-Independent TD Stephen Donnelly. 

Shortall has been a TD for Dublin North West for almost 32 years.

In a statement this morning she said her priority during that time has been representing her constituents and “actively contributing to public debate on national issues”.

“I have a strong belief in the power of politics as a force for good. Politics has enormous potential to make people’s lives better and to create a fairer and more progressive country. I have worked in furtherance of those goals over the course of my career,” she said. 

Shortall added: “While I have decided to step down from frontline politics, I hope to continue to work to build on progress already made in the development of the Social Democrats party. I truly believe the Party can make a major contribution to creating a better Ireland for all.”

Murphy has been in politics for over 30 years and was first elected to the Dáil in 2005.  

Murphy, a TD for Kildare North, said today she loves her job and has always had a deep passion for her work and “tackling the many pressing social, environmental, economic and governmental issues we still face.”

“While I am bowing out of representational politics, I will continue to work in whatever way I can to support Holly Cairns and the next generation in Kildare and elsewhere, in advocating for and delivering on a social democratic future,” Murphy said. 

Labour-SocDems reunion ruled out

Though the Social Democrats has tirelessly positioned itself apart from The Labour Party, many argue they have yet to see the difference between the two – particularly after the European and local elections.

Centre-left and progressive parties failed to form alliance with Labour in local councils over a disagreement, most notably in Dublin City Council, over property taxes. The Labour Party holds the view it is a wealth tax while others believe hikes will impact struggling households.

Labour Party Dublin MEP Aodhán Ó Ríordáin in an interview with The Journal said it would be “worth talking” to the Social Democrats about forming a Government when the time comes.

But asked about merging the parties into one today, Shorthall said she believed that was not going to happen: “I don’t think so, no.”

“Politics has changed a lot since I was first elected in 1991, where the two-and-a-half party system dominated and there was still significant dominance of Civil War politics,” she told RTÉ Radio One’s News At One.

“Since then, we’ve seen a lot of newer parties being established and that’s a good thing. It provides choice for people.

“I think in for the foreseeable future, we’re going to have coalition governments where it’s a broader spectrum of views represented, and it allows for more collaboration at political level, and that’s a good thing.

“That’s what we’re about in the Social Democrats – providing better new choice for people. We’re following  the traditional social democratic model, which is about really honest politics and the fairest society,” she added.

Includes reporting by Muiris O’Cearbhaill