DAIL OVER

High-profile TD in shock quit move as he won’t contest next general election in bid to pursue alternative opportunities

• Published: 21:28, 18 Oct 2023
• Updated: 21:28, 18 Oct 2023

INDEPENDENT TD Marc MacSharry is planning to bow out of national politics after announcing he won’t run in the next general election.

The Sligo-Leitrim rep said that it has been an “extraordinary privilege” to serve in the Oireachtas since 2002.

Deputy MacSharry, who sensationally quit Fianna Fail last year, said it was time for him to pursue alternative opportunities.

He said: “I am eternally grateful to all for the opportunity to serve as a TD and Senator over more than 21 years.

“I would like to thank everyone for their support and assistance. I look forward to continuing to work on behalf of the people of Sligo, Leitrim, South Donegal and North Roscommon between now and the conclusion of this administration.

“Through the years I have worked to the very best of my ability and now feel it is the correct time to open a new chapter in my life and pursue alternative opportunities.”

Reflecting on his career in politics, Mr MacSharry described his style was “based predominantly on truth, integrity and very direct”.

Speaking to RTE’s Drivetime, he described his political style as “based predominantly on truth, integrity and very direct”.

He continued: “I think a challenge that exists in politics nowadays, not just in Ireland, but internationally, is that for many it is the blind pursuit of personal position at any cost.

“That, when also taken against the line that’s taken to the contrarian voice, often one of dismissal, is something that’s quite dangerous for democracy and it’s certainly a challenge for those still in it and those who will come into it.”

Deputy MacSharry – whose father served for Fianna Fail for more than 20 years – was first elected as a Senator in 2002 before becoming a TD in 2016.

He resigned the Fianna Fail party whip in September 2021 as part of a no-confidence motion against Fine Gael Minister Simon Coveney.

MacSharry then went on to resign from the party last November following a dispute with over the handling of a complaint made against him by a local councillor.

Discussing his departure from the party he insisted the decision was based on principle, consistency and integrity, and that “those issues still remain”.

He added: “It has been an incredible journey, one that has involved Fianna Fáil and while it was the correct decision for me to resign the whip initially, and ultimately pull away, there were very real, justifiable, tangible and principled reasons for that and they remain and I stand over them.”