Dempsey: Fears of poll battering not a factor in retirement decision
Transport Minister Noel Dempsey tonight denied he feared a backlash from angry voters in the general election as he became the second Fianna Fáil heavyweight not to contest the poll.
The veteran Meath TD claimed he always planned to stand down after reaching the age of 55 but those close to him said he wanted to remain in office for the last two years in a bid to help improve the country’s economic difficulties.
He rejected suggestions the party’s predicted battering in the new year election was a factor in his retirement.
His departure after 33 years in politics is the second high profile casualty for the governing party, after Justice Minister Dermot Ahern announced he would not seek re-election late last month.
Mr Dempsey said: “I’ve never been afraid to face the electorate. I’ve done that in probably 10 or 12 different elections.
“I make my own decisions.”
Mr Dempsey, whose constituency office was splashed with a misspelled version of the word traitors last month, said he believed voters would have backed him had he opted to stand.
“I’ve been in lots of controversies at different times but I think the electorate have always been strongly supportive and I’ve no reason to doubt, although I might have lost some support this time round, that they wouldn’t have been supportive in this election.”
Among his pension entitlements, he will receive an annual combined ministerial and TDs pension of around €128,291, a lump sum of €147,600 – the equivalent of one and a half times his TDs pay – and a once-off termination payment of around €17,000.
The minister said he will contribute just over 50% of his pension in taxes and levies.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen paid tribute to his Cabinet colleague, describing him as hard-working and effective.
“He has made a huge contribution to Irish politics and he has been a reforming minister who has never allowed vested interests or tough decisions get in the way of doing the right thing,” the Taoiseach said.
Mr Cowen said Mr Dempsey was a friend and colleague and a straight-talking, respected colleague around the Cabinet table, forceful in his contribution and a loyal supporter of Government decisions.
“His work for the Fianna Fáil party under successive leaders has been deeply appreciated by all,” he said.
“Noel Dempsey is a man of great sincerity and decency. I value his friendship immensely. It has been a pleasure to work with him down through the years.”
Mr Cowen said Mr Dempsey had been a Fianna Fáil stalwart for over half his life and predicted he would remain active within the party.
Mr Dempsey was first elected in 1987 and has served as Minister for the Environment, Education and Science, Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and Transport.
He was also a key negotiator in Programmes for Government.
The minister said it had been an honour and a privilege to serve the people of Meath.
“Everybody who worked with me and supported me over the years can share in the credit of our achievements,” he said.
“Whatever I achieved over the past 33 years of public life I have achieved with their support and guidance.”
And he gave a heartfelt thanks to his family and those who have canvassed for him in the constituency.
Mr Dempsey is the seventh Fianna Fáil TD not to contest the general election.
Some have cited family reasons, health and others said they were retiring from the Dáil but were prepared to help out locally and in the backrooms.
Among them are Beverley Flynn, who told her Mayo constituency colleagues last night she was stepping down for personal reasons.
She has never been far from controversy in her 13-year Dáil career, including being kicked out of Fianna Fáil when she lost a libel action against RTE after being exposed over a tax avoidance scheme in the bank she had worked in.
Others include veteran Sean Ardagh, former Ceann Comhairle Rory O’Hanlon and former chief whip Tom Kitt, who all said they were retiring.
