Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
FINE GAEL MEP Deirdre Clune has become the party’s second MEP in as many weeks to declare that she does not plan to run in the next European election.
Clune, who was first elected to the European Parliament by the Ireland South constituency in 2014, has announced that she does not intend to run again in EU elections scheduled to take place next June.
She has said she plans to “revert to being a Fine Gael activist and supporting the next generation of public representatives”.
Party colleague Frances Fitzgerald, an MEP for the Dublin constituency since the 2019 election, similarly announced she would not run again for the European Parliament earlier this month.
Clune and Fitzgerald are two of Fine Gael’s five politicians in Europe, alongside Seán Kelly, Colm Markey and Maria Walsh.
The party currently holds the largest proportion of Ireland’s 13 MEP seats but next year’s election may change the profile as an additional MEP seat is added and a review considers the boundaries of Ireland’s European constituencies.
The next EU elections are due to take place between 6 and 9 June 2024. Voting in Ireland will take place alongside local elections for city and county councils.
In the meantime, MEPs will be trying to balance legislative work with campaigning in constituencies much larger than those in general or local elections, which is known to typically cause some inertia to fall over the European Parliament in the weeks and months ahead of an election.
In a statement this afternoon, Clune said that she informed Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar earlier this month that she would not seek a nomination from the party to contest the European election next June.
“Taking the decision to step away from public office was not an easy one. Ever since I first walked through the doors of Dáil Éireann 27 years ago, I have striven to serve my constituents with determined resolve,” Clune said.
“Politics is demanding. It requires much sacrifice, not least from close family members. There is absolutely no doubt that without the support of my family, I would not have had the privilege to serve in public office,” she said.
“For the past nine and a half years, I have represented the people of Ireland South in the European Parliament. Working in Brussels and Strasbourg, I have seen first-hand how Europe has played a defining role in Ireland’s emergence as a modern, open society and economy.
Ireland’s EU journey has been nothing less than transformational. Europe has given us reach and influence in the world. It has facilitated our peace process. It has delivered on equality, opportunity and freedom.
“For the remainder of this parliamentary term, I intend to continue my work, serving the people of Ireland South in Europe. I am looking forward to the next chapter of my political life where I will revert to being a Fine Gael activist and supporting the next generation of public representatives who will serve you.”
In a statement, Varadkar said he was “sorry to hear from Deirdre that she has decided not to contest next June’s European Elections”.
“Her distinguished career of more than 26 years speaks for itself as she has served her constituents proudly and admirably in the European Parliament, Dáil, Seanad and as Lord Mayor of Cork and a city councillor,” he said.
“Not many politicians have achieved this feat of being elected to almost every possible chamber at local, national and international level by the electorate.
“In Europe, Deirdre has been at the forefront of consumer protection and the rights of cancer survivors. Deirdre was recently appointed as the European Parliament’s lead negotiator for Customs Reforms which will be the most ambitious and comprehensive reforms of the EU Customs Union since its establishment in 1968. I know Deirdre will continue to work diligently in Europe for her constituents.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
All healthy pension pots accrued
@Tim Brennan: and possibly one of the worst meps ever. I’m sure the majority of people wouldn’t have even known she was there. We really have to put an end to this kind of representative. The political parties have to stop using Europe as a place for their worst to go.
@Alan: Or alternatively, people need to start taking more of an interest in the EU and its workings. Politicians aren’t necessarily to blame for the ignorance of the general public.
@Alan: the only memorable thing I remember Deirdre Clune for was the proposed abolishment of daylight saving.
@Brendan O’Brien: I agree. But Clune is a particularly good example of an absolutely ineffectual politician both here and in then in Europe. Surely FG could have offered the electorate, and the FG faithful, a more able and committed candidate?
@Brendan O’Brien: the United States of Europe,we will be a vassal state with little input in decision making-how did a trading block turn in this
@Shane Doyle: the United States of Europe. You could be correct and we would be like Rhode Island in more than just what the name implies and the limited influence of a small state.
Writing on the wall clearly seen
Just as I thought….
Fine Gael haven’t a Clune.
Because there’s a Migration problem in the EU and the EU better accept this as the open border policy is being used and abused by everyone outside of the EU
@Luka Roche: you cannot stop the movement of people. It has happened since the dawn of our species. Over the course of the last 2000 years more Europeans have gone to other parts of the world than have come to Europe and usually to a much more detrimental effect. Wait until climate change starts to really bite then we really will see what movement of people means.
@Gerard Smith: So you want to maintain open borders to undocumented people from dangerous countries??
We need a VISA to enter the USA and Australia and they want to know what you were at since you were able to crawl along the floor…
Fine Gael train running out of steam.
@Philip A Howlin: The government always takes hits like this as they are in government….Wait till you see the opposition parties eat each other alive when they realise that they can’t be all things to all people all the time.
@John Terry: No , but a Government by the people, for the people would be an enchanting start I believe.
@John Terry: and the hits just keep on coming
@John Terry: Well the last 100 years of FFG …Crumbling Health service,Housing crisis, Homelessness, Rental crisis, A make it up as you go along refugee crisis , Scandal after scandal…Billions taken from the Irish economy to repay for the gangsterism of the banks and developers facilated by the same political parties that are again in power. …yet you blame the opposition…Hypocrisy at it’s best.
@Donal Desmond:
There is bad and worse. Look North and tell us something SF/IRA has accomplished. We will go from crisis to catastrophes if SF/IRA ever form a government.
@Vincent Alexander: You failed to ask what created the conflict in the Six Counties..Since the foundation of this state successive Irish and British governments buried their heads in the sand concerning the apartheid state that existed in the six counties. The hypocrisy they showed when the shook their heads and said how did this happen…As for the present SF is the largest political party in the Six Counties…The only reason the Assembly is not working is the fact the DUP won’t endorse a democratically elected SF first minister…SF is the second largest party in the 26 counties by one uncontested seat…Think that answers your question.
@Peter Murray: With that level of response …your ignorance certainly shows.
I follow politics and I’ve never heard of her. What, apart from a massive pension has she achieved in a career in politics?
@Michael o connor: Then you don’t really follow politics.
@Michael o connor: Strange to see someone boasting about their ignorance of a subject while at the same time claiming to be well informed on it.
@Daniel Roche: go on so, tell me even one thing she has achieved? Apart from a lifetime suckling on the tit of us taxpayers!
@Kilkenny Proud: just one achievement, apart from multiple pension pots, come on tell me?
@Michael o connor: tumbleweed……
Richard Burton (Fine Gael) has decided not to contest the next election
@Storm Chaser: He is 70years old…..do you intend working till then?….I’ll bet you will be moaning past your sixtieth.
@John Terry: Nope, but with the government I probably won’t have any choice!
She looked in to the crystal ball
Who?
Fine gael in the Dail think the israeli ambassador is doing an excellent job
Never heard of her !
Im sure they have a Sister/Brother/ Aunt / cousin etc lined to to get her seat usual nepotism !!
Who???
In who’s opinion is she a great, great anything. I think she’s a non entity, a personalty free zone.
She doesn’t need any pension look at the family, more like sinking ship to me
Bye Bye FG
Wouldn’t get elected anyway. Sailed in on her family connections and never lived up to the hype. Always disconnected with the people on the ground.
Never heard of her. Has been in FFG for long?
Sinn Fein will be in government Get over it.stop your crying. FF will be with them.
Always felt she was only ever a stool pigeon to protect the interests of those in the higher echelons of the FG party & not a people’s representative.
have your say