10/11/2010

Sinn Fein's TD Won't Stand For Next Dáil

Sinn Fein TD Arthur Morgan has announced he will not stand for re-election in the next general election.

The Louth TD said he was planning to turn his attention to his family business but would be remaining active in the party.

Mr Morgan, who was elected to Louth County Council in 1999 before winning a seat in the Dail in 2002, said he would work to ensure a Sinn Fein successor in his seat.

In a statement released last night, TD Morgan said: "I have served two terms now as a Sinn Féin TD for Louth. It has been a great honour to represent the people of this county and it has been a similarly great honour to represent the Sinn Féin party in Louth and Leinster House.

"My decision not to seek re-election for a third time is something, which would not have been a great secret within the party in Louth or at a National level."

Mr Morgan said that his position in the Dáil had forced him to step out of the family business which went "back a very long way in County Louth".

"I would really like to go back into business," he said.

He added that the party organisation both nationally and in Louth have fully accepted his decision.

"I will remain active within the party and intend to use the experience I gained as a TD for more than eight years to the benefit of Sinn Féin and the people of County Louth and I will be active and prominent in the campaign to ensure that a Sinn Féin TD is returned for this constituency at the next General Election."

Mr Morgan also paid tribute to his wife Marion, saying that without her support and patience he would not be able to carry the important job as a public representative.

Speaking on RTÉ, Mr Morgan said it was well known that he was reluctant to go into the Dail in the first place. He added that Sinn Fein's leadership had accepted his decision and it had not caused a rift in the party.

(DW/KMcA)

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