There are several major players among those who are now leaving the political arena, writes Alison O'Connor, Political Reporter
One of the largest groups ever of sitting TDs have decided not to stand in the general election, with a number of high-profile deputies, including a former Taoiseach, among them.
Twenty-one of the 166 deputies from all sides of the House will be able to simply enjoy this election campaign, compared to 17 who did not seek re-election in 1997, and 11 in 1992.
Fianna Fáil is losing eight deputies, including the former Taoiseach Mr Albert Reynolds (Longford-Roscommon). First elected to the Dáil in 1977, Mr Reynolds served as Taoiseach from 1992 to 1994.
One of the longest-serving members of the Dáil, Mr David Andrews (Dún Laoghaire), the former minister for foreign affairs, is also retiring. He was first elected in 1965. Mr Michael O'Kennedy (Tipperary North), who also held the foreign affairs portfolio, as well as being minister for agriculture, has also chosen not to stand.
They are joined by Mr Sean Doherty (Longford-Roscommon), a former minister for justice, who in the past has been one of the most controversial deputies in Leinster House.
He came to prominence recently as the chairman of the mini-CTC signalling project inquiry. Mr Chris Flood (Dublin South West) is not standing in the general election for health reasons.
Mr Ben Briscoe (Dublin South Central), another one of the longest-serving deputies, who first won a Dáil seat in 1965, and Mr Mattie Brennan (Sligo/Leitrim), a TD since 1982, are also retiring.
The controversial Kerry TD Mr Denis Foley (Kerry North), who resigned as a member of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party after the Moriarty tribunal was told he had admitted holding an Ansbacher account containing some £100,000 at one stage, is standing down.
Mr Bobby Molloy (Galway West) recently announced his plan to retire as a result of the controversy surrounding his representations in the Naughton court case. However, the retirement of the founder of the Progressive Democrats, Mr Des O'Malley (Limerick East), has been known for some time. Mr O'Malley held a number of portfolios since first being elected as a Fianna Fáil deputy in a by-election in 1968. He founded the PDs in 1986.
Eight Fine Gael deputies are not seeking re-election. One of the most surprising announcements from the Fine Gael ranks was that of Mr Ivan Yates (Wexford). Once considered a contender for the party leadership, he announced in February last year that he was leaving politics to pursue his business interests.
Both sitting deputies in Dún Laoghaire, Ms Monica Barnes and Mr Sean Barrett, are not standing. There had been speculation that Mr Barrett, a former minister for defence and the marine and government chief whip, would change his mind, but this proved not to be the case.
Waterford TD Mr Austin Deasy is hoping that his son John will replace him as a Fine Gael TD in the city.
Mr John Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) is also hoping to keep the seat in the family. His son Fergal is standing as a candidate. In the Laois/Offaly constituency, Mr Tom Enright is hoping his daughter Olwyn will retain his seat.
The straight-talking Co Louth TD Mr Brendan McGahon and Mr Liam Burke (Cork North Central) are also standing down.
The Labour Party is losing just one of its sitting TDs. Mr Proinsias De Rossa (Dublin North West). Mr De Rossa, an MEP, was the former leader of Democratic Left and is now president of the Labour party.
Two of the four independent deputies who supported the Government are not seeking re-election. Mr Thomas Gildea (Donegal South West) stood for the first time in 1997 as a TV deflector candidate. Mr Harry Blaney (Donegal North East), was elected a TD in a by-election in 1996 caused by the death of his brother Niall. Harry Blaney is hoping to bequeath the seat to his nephew Niall.