Josepha Madigan resigns as Minister of State and becomes latest Fine Gael TD to confirm they won’t contest next general election
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Dublin Rathdown TD says she informed Taoiseach about her decision last summerMs Madigan backs Simon Harris as new leaderBecomes 11th Fine Gael TD that won’t run in next general election
Josepha Madigan will not contest the next general election. Photo: Frank McGrath
Josepha Madigan has resigned from her position as junior minister from today and confirmed she will not be contesting the next general election.
The Fine Gael TD said she informed Taoiseach Leo Varadkar last summer she would not be running in the next election.
Ms Madigan becomes the 11th Fine Gael TD to announce they will not be running in the next general election.
There is also speculation about the position of a number of other TDs and whether they will decide to contest>
The Dublin Rathdown TD added that she will be supporting Simon Harris as new leader of Fine Gael.
Ms Madigan failed to secure a party nomination for the European elections.
Incoming Taoiseach Simon Harris will be in charge of appointing a new Minister in the Department of Education following Ms Madigan’s resignation.
In a statement, Ms Madigan said: “I am today confirming my position not to contest the next general election”.
“I am also resigning today from my ministerial position. I wish Simon all the best in forming a new Fine Gael ministerial team to lead the party into the next election.
“Politics is not an easy profession but that does not mean it is not a rewarding one. I hope that people with strong hearts, resilience and courage will continue to enter public life to help better our country and its people.”
Today’s News in 90 seconds – 22nd March 2024
Mr Varadkar paid tribute to Ms Madigan describing her as a “hard-working Fine Gael public representative”.
“We first met at a Strictly Come Dancing charity fundraiser in South Dublin back in 2015 when she was a candidate for the Dáil. My partner, Matt, was one of the competitors. Shane Ross TD, then in opposition, was a judge. We hit it off and have been friends ever since. She is easily one of the kindest and most empathetic politicians I know. Sometimes kindness in politics is seen as weakness. I believe it is one of her strengths,” he said.
Ms Madigan was in the Cabinet as Minister for Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht in 2017. She was dropped from Cabinet after the 2020 general election and became Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion in 2020.
“More special classes and special schools have opened and more SNAs and special education teachers are working in schools now, thanks to her work. She has ensured that many more children have the very best start in life,” Mr Varadkar added.
“Josepha will be missed in the Dáil. I wish her the very best as she takes on a new chapter in her life after politics.”
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