Dermot Ahern to step down at General Election
The Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern has announced that he will not be contesting the next General Election.
In a statement this morning, Minister Ahern said that over the last 18 months, he had been diagnosed with a painful medical condition that he had to take heavy medication for.
He has been advised to change his pace of life to cope with the medical regimen.
Mr Ahern said he came to his decision after 32 years as a public representative. He is a TD since 1987 and has been a Minister since 1997.
The 55-year-old said that after the 2007 General Election he came to a decision with his family that that election would be his last.
Minister Ahern informed the Taoiseach of his decision in October of last year and confirmed it with him last weekend.
He has also informed his Cabinet colleagues and his local party organisation in Co Louth.
Mr Ahern thanked the people of Louth for their support over his three decades in politics.
