THE decision of three outgoing Labour TDs not to contest the next general election has led to the prospect that all three seats may be lost to the party.
Following the announcement yesterday that the Clare TD, Dr Moosajee Bhamjee, will not present himself as a candidate for nomination at a convention, senior Labour sources said that no more outgoing party deputies would be announcing their retirement from politics before the election.
However, other sources conceded that the loss of three high profile TDs would inevitably present the party leadership with serious difficulties in retaining their seats in the forthcoming election.
Dr Bhamjee's decision, which was expected, came within 24 hours of an announcement by the Minister for Equality and Law Reform, Mr Taylor, that he also intended to step out of politics. The party leader and Tanaiste, Mr Spring, had tried to persuade him to stay.
The North Tipperary Labour TD, Mr John Ryan, had already declared his intention to retire at the next election.
In a statement confirming his decision not to seek reelection, Dr Bhamjee said he was doing so for personal and professional reasons. He declared his commitment to the party, both in Clare as well as nationally, and said he intended to continue playing a very active role in the organisation.
Saying that Dr Bhamjee's decision came as no surprise to him, Mr Spring added that he knew for some time he was "extremely torn by his inability to remain in close touch with his professional work" and that the choice between two demanding and rewarding professions was very difficult for him.
Dr Bhamjee, who was first elected in 1992, was the last of the 33 Labour seats to be declared and, according to the Tanaiste, represented the "final seal on a resounding mandate for change" - in his short time in the Dail, he had made "an often refreshing and always effective contribution".
His replacement candidate is expected to be Ms Bridin Twist, president of the Irish
Countrywomen's Association, who holds a high profile in the constituency. However, Fine Gael and the Opposition parties see Dr Bhamjee's exit from politics as a vital opportunity to take the seat in the four seat constituency.