An independent councillor on Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Mr Colm Breathnach, has resigned his seat, opening the way for the return to the council of the former minister for the marine, Mr Eamon Gilmore TD.
"It is clear to me now that working alone I cannot achieve any long-term gains for the people I tried to represent," Mr Breathnach said.
Mr Breathnach won his council seat in 1991 as a candidate for Democratic Left. He left that party in protest at its entry into government.
Although Mr Breathnach rejected suggestions that his resignation was designed to facilitate the return of Mr Gilmore to the council, the seat is likely to be filled by the co-option of a Democratic Left nominee.