Seamus Kirk TD
Fianna Fáil TD Seamus Kirk has confirmed that he will not be running in the next General Election.
The Knockbridge man yesterday signaled his intent to retire from politics when the current government is dissolved.
The father of four will be 70 next April and has served as a TD for the county since first being elected in 1982 – taking over from the retired Eddie Filgate.
He also acted as Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil from October 2009 to March 2011.
A former county footballer, he also served on Louth County Council from 1974 to 1985.
Deputy Kirk was Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food from 1987 to 1992 and is the party’s current spokesperson on Horticulture and Rural Affairs.
He was chairman of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party from 2002 until October 2009 while he was an unsuccessful candidate for the European Parliament elections in 2004 – although he did help his running mate Liam Aylward take a seat for the party.
