Eoghan Murphy resigns seat as TD for Dublin Bay South

Eoghan Murphy has resigned his seat as Teachta Dála for Dublin Bay South.

The former Fine Gael TD, who has served in the Dáil since 2011 as a TD, Minister of State and as a Cabinet Minister, wrote to the Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil this morning to confirm his resignation.

Prior to entering Leinster House, he was elected a Dublin city councillor in 2009 for the Pembroke-Rathmines constituency.

“It has been a huge privilege to serve the Dublin Bay South constituency, first as a councillor and then as a TD,” Deputy Murphy said

“Leaving frontline politics is not something that I am doing without having considered the matter fully.

“In my late 20s, I worked in the UN system before I returned to Ireland to get involved alongside many other people looking to play their part in the national recovery at the time. And now, after 12 years of service and having reflected upon things, I have made the decision to return to international affairs.

“I have resigned my seat today, not to leave politics entirely, but to pursue a career in the area of international co-operation, human rights and democracy.

“I want to thank all who I have worked alongside in Fine Gael, in the Oireachtas, in various Government departments, in Dublin City Council and numerous other agencies and bodies who serve the Irish people so well.

“It has been an honour and I wish you all every success in the future.

“I finally want to thank all in my constituency who put their faith in me so many years ago and have stood by me ever since. I will be eternally grateful.”

Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar paid tribute to party colleague following his decision to leave politics and pursue a career at an international level.

“I am very sorry, personally and professionally, to see Eoghan departing from national politics. He is a friend and a colleague in the party, and someone with whom I have worked alongside for many years,” the Tánaiste said.

“I was aware for some time that Eoghan was considering his career options, although I had hoped that he would stay in the Dáil, given his abilities, flair and talents.

“Eoghan has served as a Fine Gael TD for ten years and prior to that as a councillor in his constituency. His considerable electoral success in three successive general elections shows the high regard in which he is held by his community.

“He was one of the architects of the Dáil reforms that took place in 2016; he served as a Minister of State in the Department of Finance before being appointed to Cabinet in 2017.

“Eoghan took over the housing brief at a most difficult time. History will record that under his leadership, the provision of new social housing increased manifold and the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan provided a mortgage to thousands of first-time buyers who otherwise would have got none.

“He drove the Housing First policy which has helped hundreds of people exit homelessness for good. I believe the Land Development Agency, which he established, will be seen as a decisive intervention in the housing market for the better, and the National Planning Framework has set out five major cities on a pathway to sustainable, compact growth.

“I wish Eoghan every success in his future career, and perhaps we may see him return to play a role in Ireland in the future.”