Fine Gael leader praises veteran McCormack
Fine Gael Leader Enda Kenny paid tribute today to the party’s veteran TD Padraic McCormack who is to retire before the next General Election.
Mr Kenny said the 63-year-old Galway West representative informed him of his decision not to contest next year’s poll on Wednesday night.
“While this is a disappointment, as his re-election would have been assured, I respect his decision absolutely,” Mr Kenny said.
“I have known Padraic McCormack since the mid 1970s. He contested 18 elections over the years and successfully contested all National Elections having being returned to the Senate in 1987 and Dáil Eireann in 1989.
“Few politicians have as deep a grasp of local authority issues as Padraic McCormack, experience he gained over many years on Galway Corporation.”
Mr Kenny said Mr McCormack, the party’s only TD in the five-seat constituency, had served the people of Galway West well over many years and had made many sacrifices in the interests of Fine Gael.
“He has assured me of his continued full activity and support for the party for the future,” Mr Kenny said.
“I take this opportunity to thank him for his work over the years on behalf of the Fine Gael Party, and to express my personal thanks to both him and his wife Ailish and family.
“I wish them continued good health and fortune in the future.”
Mr McCormack, a former livestock auctioneer, who was elected to the Seanad in 1987 and to the Dáil two years later, said the time was right to retire from politics.
“It wasn’t an easy decision for me and I finally made up my mind over the past couple of weeks and I believe this was the proper procedure to announce this at the constituency meeting last night where all the delegates were present,” he said.
“I believe that the time to hand over to younger candidates is when the party is on the up and up and Fine Gael is on the up and up and we have plenty of young people who can pick up the mantle on behalf of Fine Gael in this constituency.”
