Cork MEP Deirdre Clune confirms she will not run again for election

CORK MEP Deirdre Clune has become the latest senior Fine Gael politician to announce she will not be running again for election, it was confirmed today in a statement.

Twenty seven years after walking through the doors of Dáil Éireann, the former Cork South Central TD announced on Wednesday that she wouldn't be putting her name forward as the party’s candidate in the June elections to the European Parliament.

Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar was among the first to pay tribute to Ms. Clune following her announcement.

“I was sorry to hear from Deirdre that she has decided not to contest next June’s European Elections.

“Her distinguished career of more than 26 years speaks for itself as she has served her constituents proudly and admirably in the European Parliament, Dáil, Seanad and as Lord Mayor of Cork and a city councillor,” said Mr. Varadkar.

“Not many politicians have achieved this feat of being elected to almost every possible chamber at local, national and international level by the electorate.” The MEP, an engineer and daughter of former Fine Gael Minister for Foreign Affairs, Peter Barry, was first elected to the Dáil in 1997 and lost her seat in 2002 before regaining it in 2011. She served as Lord Mayor of Cork in 2005/6 and served as a Senator between 2011 and 2014.

Ms Clune becomes the latest in a litany of senior Fine Gael figures to announce their decision to step back from front-line politics, a list which includes her Cork colleagues, David Stanton TD in Cork East, and Michael Creed TD of Cork North West.

In her statement announcing her decision, the MEP thanked party colleagues in Cork South Central for placing their trust in her over the years and her husband, Conor and four sons, for their constant encouragement and support since she first sought election in 1997.

“Politics is demanding,” she said. “It requires much sacrifice, not least from close family members.

“There is absolutely no doubt that without the support of my family, I would not have had the privilege to serve in public office.

“I have been most fortunate to work alongside some very talented, trustworthy and earnest people in my career, whose commitment has been invaluable.

“For the past nine and a half years, I have represented the people of Ireland South in the European Parliament.

“Working in Brussels and Strasbourg, I have seen first-hand how Europe has played a defining role in Ireland’s emergence as a modern, open society and economy.

“Ireland’s EU journey has been nothing less than transformational.

“Europe has given us reach and influence in the world. It has facilitated our peace process.

“It has delivered on equality, opportunity and freedom.

“Europe has also taught me that the ability to ‘compromise’ is not a weakness.

“It is the essence of a healthy democracy.” She said that she would serve the remainder of her European Parliament term before looking forward to the ‘next chapter’ of her life. She said she would remain a Fine Gael activist and would support the next generation of public representatives from the party.

TRIBUTE

In his tribute to the departing MEP, An Taoiseach said she had been at the ‘forefront of consumer protection and the rights of cancer survivors’.

“Deirdre was recently appointed as the European Parliament’s lead negotiator for Customs Reforms which will be the most ambitious and comprehensive reforms of the EU Customs Union since its establishment in 1968.

“I know Deirdre will continue to work diligently in Europe for her constituents.

“A proud Corkwoman, Deirdre and her family can look back with great pride on her achievements.

“We in Fine Gael are extremely grateful for all that Deirdre has done for her country and party.”