Fianna Fáil TD Jackie Cahill will not contest election

Fianna Fáil TD Jackie Cahill will not contest the upcoming general election.

The Tipperary TD said that after much consideration he had decided on personal grounds following health advice not to put his name forward for election.

In a statement he said: "This is obviously a very difficult decision, and one that I have made following discussions with those closest to me. Putting my name forward for election is not just a commitment for the upcoming six-week campaign; it is also a five-year commitment to meet the growing demands, both personally and professionally, that being a TD now entails.

"Being an effective TD requires a great deal of time and energy, and unfortunately, I do not believe that I can continue to make this commitment to the electorate for another five years," he added.

Jackie Cahill said Fianna Fáil Headquarters will now recommence with the candidate selection process, and they will be in contact with members of the North Tipperary / North West Kilkenny Fianna Fáil Comhairle Dáil Ceantair in the very near future.

Mr Cahill, 61, who was first elected to the Dáil in 2016, said he sincerely regrets the short notice but personal circumstances dictated this.

During his time in the Dáil, Jackie Cahill was the long serving chairperson of the Oireachtas Agriculture Committee.

Previously he had served as president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association.