Ireland Midlands-Northwest MEP Colm Markey has announced that he will not contest the European elections this June.
The Co. Louth native was appointed as an MEP to replace his Fine Gael colleague Mairead McGuinness in 2020, when she was appointed as Ireland’s member of the European Commission to replace Phil Hogan.
In a letter to party members, Markey said: “I have informed Fine Gael that I will be withdrawing my name from the MEP selection convention for the Midlands-Northwest constituency.
“I would like to thank all the members for all their generous and valued support. However, I believe the most viable path to winning two seats for Fine Gael in the election in June is with two candidates, and I wish the remaining candidates all the best during their campaigns.”
Currently, Fine Gael’s other MEP in that constituency is Maria Walsh. The constituency currently has four MEPs altogether, though for the elections in June this year it will elect five MEPs, due to a reallocation of MEP seats across EU member states due to the UK’s seats being vacated following Brexit.
Markey’s letter went on to say: “I am immensely proud of the work I have achieved in the last three years as an MEP since I took on the role after Mairead McGuinness became a commissioner.
“In that time, I have worked hard for all my constituents on many matters, including agriculture, energy, transport, fisheries, environment and social issues,” the dairy farmer added.
“I would like to thank my family, my supporters, my team both in Ireland and Brussels, as well as the people of the Midlands-Northwest whom I have been proud to serve.
“I also wish to thank Commissioner Mairead McGuinness and my fellow MEPs for their help and support and I want to wish our new (Fine Gael party) leader Simon Harris every success in his new role,” Markey said.
However, he indicated his desire to remain in national politics, potentially with an eye on the next general election.
“I will continue to remain in politics and plan to contest in future elections. My focus will return to my home county of Louth, and in particular Drogheda, which has faced particular challenges in recent months and years,” the outgoing MEP said.
“I want to play a central role in tackling these issues and working closely with (Louth TD) Fergus O’Dowd to carry on work he has completed over the last 22 years,” Markey added.
O’Dowd said in November that he would stand down at the next general election. He is currently Fine Gael’s only TD in Louth.