In a statement released this afternoon, the party said both Catherine Murphy and Róisín Shortall will not contest the forthcoming general election.
Kildare North TD Catherine Murphy will not contest the forthcoming general election.
In a statement released this afternoon, the party said both Catherine Murphy and Róisín Shortall will not contest the forthcoming general election.
Deputy Murphy said: “I love my job and have always had a deep passion for my work and tackling the many pressing social, environmental, economic and governmental issues we still face."
She added: "It has been such a privilege to work in politics alongside colleagues who have shared my energy, commitment and vision for the future. It has also been my absolute honour to represent the people of Kildare North and I want to thank them for their continued support for so many years."
"At the outset, I want to sincerely thank the people of Leixlip and Kildare North for their support over many years. It has truly been an honour to represent you and I thank you for the trust, loyalty, and warmth you have shown me over the years," she said.
“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.”
She first held political office in 1988, when she was elected to Leixlip Town Commission while a member of the Workers Party, became a Cllr. in the 90’s for Labour and was first elected to Dail Eireann in the 2004 General Election as an Independent.
She founded the Social Democrats along with Stephen Donnelly and Roisin Shortall in 2015.