ONE of the Dáil's two longest serving TDs, Fine Gael's Richard Bruton, has announced he will not contest the Republic's next general election.
A former deputy leader of Fine Gael, the Dublin Bay North TD was due to inform his constituency organisation of his decision on Tuesday evening.
The 70-year-old, who is the brother of former Taoiseach John Bruton, joins a number of sitting Fine Gael TDs who in recent months have also confirmed they do not intend to stand for re-election.
Mr Bruton was Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment from 2018 to 2020.
He was first elected as a TD in 1982 for the Dublin North-Central constituency, where he served until 2016 before being elected in Dublin Bay North.
In 2010, Mr Bruton challenged Enda Kenny for leadership of Fine Gael, but failed following a vote by parliamentary party members.
The following year, Mr Kenny became Taoiseach.
Mr Bruton is currently the joint 'Father of the House' - meaning the longest-serving TD - alongside Fianna Fáil's Limerick East rep Willie O'Dea.
