Broadcaster and former Fine Gael TD Ivan Yates is leaving Newstalk and taking a step back from working in the media, citing a "personal" reason for prompting the decision.
Yates is stepping down from his hosting duties on Newstalk Breakfast, which airs weekdays 7am-10am, and currently attracts 171,000 listeners.
He said in a statement: "I began working at Newstalk seven years ago this month and have hugely enjoyed my time at the station.
"My decision to step back from working in the media is a personal one and I remain a committed supporter of Independent Radio and Newstalk in particular.
"I will miss working in Newstalk’s innovative and creative environment and hope that I will have the opportunity to return at some stage in the future."
The former Agriculture Minister will be leaving Newstalk in July and will also leave his roles as a columnist with the Irish Independent and presenter on TV3.
Yates' Newstalk Breakfast co-host Chris O'Donoghue took to Twitter following the news of his departure, joking "he's such a drama queen!".
He's such a drama queen! Trying to overshadow Enda and Micheal's meeting.... pic.twitter.com/KLGHHGjn83
— Chris Donoghue (@chrisrdonoghue) April 6, 2016
The 56-year-old has presented Newstalk Breakfast since 2009, taking a 16-month sabbatical in 2012/2013 when he moved to Wales to avail of the UK bankruptcy process.
The High Court recently ruled that AIB is entitled to judgment of €1.6 million against Deirdre Yates.
The bank is pursuing Yates' wife Deirdre for sums arising from guarantees she signed on loans used to expand the Celtic Bookmakers chain, which was run by Yates and collapsed in 2011.
Yates has denied that his departure from the media is related to his wife's financial difficulties.
Newstalk said of the news: "Newstalk would like to wish Ivan the very best and would like to thank him for his contribution to the station over the last three years."
