USERS of the social media site Twitter were predominantly kind to Eamon Gilmore after he announced last week that he would not be running in the next general election.
The veteran politician, who resigned as Labour leader last year, said in a statement he had informed Tánaiste Joan Burton that he would not be seeking a nomination as a candidate.
“It has been an honour to represent the people of Dun Laoghaire for the past 30 years and I am also informing members of the Labour Party in my constituency of my decision,
? he stated.
“I wish to thank the members of the Labour Party in Dun Laoghaire for their continued support and friendship, and the staff with whom I have worked for their loyalty and hard work.
“I also wish to acknowledge my parliamentary colleagues in the Labour Party, and from across the political spectrum, for their work in the public interest.
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In the statement Deputy Gilmore also thanked his wife Carol and children Grainne, Oisin and Sean
“for their love and comfort through all the challenges of my public life
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“And I want to thank too our extended family, and our personal friends who were always there for us,
? he added.
“I look forward to continuing to contribute to public life and the Labour Party.
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A TD since 1989, when he was elected as a deputy for the Workers’ Party, Deputy Gilmore served as a Democratic Left Minister of State in the Rainbow Coalition of 1994-1997.
He was elected Labour leader in 2007, leading it into coalition with Fine Gael in 2011, when he also became Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs.
He resigned as party leader after Labour’s poor showing in last year’s local and European elections.
However, he was praised in the wake of the same-sex marriage referendum for pushing the issue on this Government’s agenda.
On Twitter the news was greeted generally with regret that the TD had decided not to run. While there were some dissenting voices, the majority praised Gilmore for his political endeavours over the years.
“The goal of public service is to make the country a better place for its people,
? Labour leader Joan Burton tweeted.
“Eamon Gilmore achieved that by helping build the recovery.
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“Even though I was often his biggest critic, Eamon Gilmore was a very decent, well meaning leader,
? tweeted Labour Party executive board member Chris Bond.
“I would like to wish him a happy retirement.
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The Parliamentary Correspondent for The Irish Times, Michael O’Regan, added:
“Eamon Gilmore made a significant contribution to Irish politics, not least in putting the marriage equality referendum high on the agenda.
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“Really sad that @EamonGilmore won’t be standing for election again,
? wrote another.
“Has contributed massively to Irish public life.
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One tweet reads:
“Eamon Gilmore not standing again in next GE. He will be huge loss to Irish politics. But I wish him well in his next adventure.
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Cllr Victor Boyhan (Ind) said in a statement:
“Eamon worked tirelessly for his constituents in Dún Laoghaire. His intentions were always honourable and good and I wish him and his family personal happiness and success in the future.
“He will be greatly missed.
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