FIANNA FÁIL TD and former Ceann Comhairle Seamus Kirk is stepping down ahead of the next general election, the party have confirmed.
Kirk, who has represented Louth since 1982, served as Dáil chair between 2009 and 2011.
He was also Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture from 1987 to 92.
In a statement this afternoon, party leader Micheál Martin paid tribute to Kirk’s “unwavering commitment to the people of Louth, particularly the rural community”.
He has always been a strong advocate for rural communities and helped to shape much of Fianna Fáil’s policy in agriculture and horticulture.
Martin described the veteran TD as a “gentleman to his fingertips” and said he had been “an extremely reassuring and steady presence in the Parliamentary Party”.
The next general election must be held by spring 2016 — although there was some speculation at the Fianna Fáil think-in this week that it may take place as early as the end of next year.
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