Dempsey bowing out of Dail

The Minister for Transport, Meath West TD, Noel Dempsey has announced that he is not seeking a nomination to run in the next general election, following 33 years as a public representative. The Trim man said: "I sincerely thank the people of Meath for their support over three decades. I also want to say a heartfelt thank you to my close and extended family and the many dedicated and committed members of Fianna Fail in Meath who canvassed for me in all of the elections over the years. Everybody who worked with me and supported me over the years can share in the credit of our achievements. Whatever I achieved over the past 33 years of public life I have achieved with their support and guidance. It has been an honour and a privilege to serve the people of Meath as a councillor and a TD and to serve my country as a minister. I intend to continue to work hard for my constituency and the country up until the next election.†Minister Dempsey has held the portfolios of environment, communications and natural resources, education and transport, as well as Government Chief Whip with responsibilities in the Departments of Taoiseach, Defence and Finance. First elected to the Dail in 1987, he is a former member and chairman of Meath County Council, Meath VEC and Trim Town Council and has been a Fianna Fáil negotiator for every programme for Government since 1992. http://www.noeldempsey.ie/