The Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny, has paid tribute to Mr Charlie Flanagan, who has announced his retirement from representative politics.
Mr Flanagan, who lost his seat in Laois-Offaly in the last general election, announced this week that he would not be contesting the June local elections. He will concentrate on the development of his legal practice. His decision brings down the curtain on the Flanagan political dynasty in Laois-Offaly which went back to 1942.
In that year, his late father, Oliver J. Flanagan, was elected to Laois County Council. He was elected to the Dáil the following year as a Monetary Reform candidate, joining Fine Gael in 1950.
He went on to hold junior and senior ministerial office and retired from politics in 1987 when he was succeeded by his son.
Mr Flanagan served in a number of senior frontbench positions.
He was an impressive Dáil performer and tipped as a future party leader.
His surprise defeat in the last general election followed the entry into the race of former IFA president, Mr Tom Parlon, who won a seat at his expense for the PDs and was made Minister of State for Finance in the FF-PD Government.
It is understood that Mr Flanagan has been considering his political future for some time. Some months ago, he was spoken of as a possible running mate for the outgoing East MEP, Ms Avril Doyle, in the European elections. He will continue to represent the party as a member of its delegation to the National Forum on Europe.
