Frances Fitzgerald will not contest 2024 European elections

FRANCES Fitzgerald MEP has this afternoon announced that she will not contest the Dublin constituency in the 2024 European Parliament Elections.

In a statement released, Ms Fitzgerald said that she has in recent weeks taken time to reflect on the up-coming election and has decided not to contest the constituency again.

Prior to her election to the European Parliament in 2019, Ms Fitzgerald served as a Fine Gael Oireachtas parliamentarian for over 20 years – and was a senator and TD in Dublin Mid-West from 2007 to 2019.

Ms Fitzgerald said: “As Fine Gael prepares for the 2024 European Elections I look forward to supporting and campaigning for our candidates, and particularly for the person that I hope will be supported by the voters and become my successor in Dublin.

“Democracy and peace are under immense strain, and we must elect people to the European Parliament who are fully committed to the founding values of the EU.”

Ms Fitzgerald served as Tánaiste from 2016 to 2017, one of four women to have ever held the position, and was the Minister for Business, Enterprise & Innovation and Minister for Justice and Equality. 

Ms Fitzgerald was also the State’s first Minister for Children and Youth Affairs from 2011 to 2014.

In her announcement, Ms Fitzgerald said that during her career she has been “fortunate to have played a part in shaping the building blocks as Ireland developed as a more mature, inclusive and open society”. 

“As a member of Dail Eireann, I have appreciated the opportunities to serve as Tánaiste and in three Cabinet offices”, she said.

“Those opportunities allowed me to bring forward important legislation, and to work in Government and as part of broader movements to deliver ground-breaking referendums which have delivered key changes in Ireland.

“It has been especially important to me that, as the Minister responsible, I was instrumental in bringing forward the Children’s Referendum and the Marriage Equality Referendum”.

She added: “In the European Parliament, working with a superb team, I have informed and developed just and sustainable policies in a range of areas…

“I would like to thank all those without whom none of the work was possible – my family and friends, the many Fine Gael members and elected representatives, and my staff and teams of supporters.

“To the colleagues with whom I have served and whose support, mostly in the best and occasionally in the worst of times, has been of incalculable value, my deepest gratitude.

“Their advice, guidance, friendship and kindness were vital.

“Politics can be a singularly individual and, at times, lonely space, but it is also one in which strong, trusted and lasting relationships form and make tackling the challenges of democracy and governing possible.

“Much remains to be done. Children’s rights, business and ethical international trade, and health issues will continue to be priorities for me.

“It will come as no surprise, that I will also continue my long-standing commitment to equality and women’s rights, working to address the reality of our unfinished democracy by advancing the role of women as leaders in political and public life.

An Taoiseach and Fine Gael party leader Leo Varadkar said that he was “very sorry” to hear that Ms Fitzgerald has decided not to seek re-election.

Taoiseach Varadkar, who has known Ms Fitzgerald since he interned at her office as a student, said: “I can honestly say that few others have achieved so much in politics as Frances Fitzgerald. 

“She changed Fine Gael and Ireland for the better helping to make us a more modern, equal and tolerant place. 

“Frances came to politics believing that our country needed to be a safer place for women and a place in which women and girls had equality of opportunity. 

“Thanks to Frances Fitzgerald and the women around her, we are on the cusp on achieving exactly that. 

“The work goes on and I know Frances’ decision not to contest re-election next year does not mean that she not remain actively involved and interested in public affairs, equality and social justice.”