Fine Gael MEP for Ireland East Avril Doyle has announced she will not contest the forthcoming European Parliament elections.
Ms Doyle told Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny of her decision in recent days.
The decision is seen as a blow to Fine Gael's chances of holding two seats in the constituency. Mairéad McGuinness holds Fine Gael's second seat in Ireland East.
Ms Doyle was first elected to the European Parliament in 1999 to represent the Leinster constituency.
She was re-elected in 2004 to represent the renamed constituency.
