The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has said the decision of the former Fianna Fáil minister, Jim McDaid, to step down from politics at the next election was taken for the best of all possible reasons.
Mr Ahern said he fully understood and supported Dr McDaid's decision to move on.
Dr McDaid said he had no regrets about anything he did or said during his career in politics with the exception of his drink driving incident.
The former minister was banned from driving for two years and fined €750 last October after pleading guilty at Naas District Court to dangerous driving and drunken driving on the old dual carriageway near Naas last April.
Speaking to RTÉ News at his home in Letterkenny he said he was horrified at that incident and it had a profound effect on him.
But he said it was not the only reason he decided to leave politics: he said he always liked to have something to aim for in life but the challenge had gone out of politics for him, there were no further posts to aim for and his challenge now is in medicine which he is really enjoying.
Asked if he was concerned that he would not get a nomination to stand for election he said 'absolutely not', and in fact it could be said this time it would have been easier than ever to secure a nomination.
Asked if he felt aggrieved at being dropped from cabinet Dr Mc Daid said at times you do feel aggrieved but the same time no one has a divine right to be at the cabinet table.
He was grateful to the Taoiseach for appointing him to cabinet, which he felt was his greatest achievement in politics.
Dr Mc Daid has recently become a father again and he said it was good to know there was a kick in the old dog yet and he was really looking forward to family life.
