Former Fine Gael TD and Minister of State Senator Paudie Coffey has announced that he will not contest the next general election.
The surprise move comes months after Fine Gael decided to run three candidates in the Waterford constituency following the decision by outgoing TD John Deasy to retire from politics before the next election.
Mr Coffey's decision leaves former Mayor of Waterford City John Cummins and former chairman of Waterford County Council, Dungarvan-based Damien Geoghegan, on the Fine Gael ticket in the constituency.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar paid tribute to Mr Coffey saying: "I want to thank Paudie for 20 years of unbroken service as a Minister of State, TD, Senator, and Councillor.
"I'm very sorry to hear about his decision but I can understand his wish to spend more time with his wife and family and pursue other opportunities.
"He has been a fantastic representative for Waterford and we will miss him in the party".
He was elected to the Dáil in 2011 alongside Fine Gael running mate John Deasy, at a time when Fianna Fáil lost their Waterford seat along with many other of the party’s seats across the country in the aftermath of the financial crisis.
Despite serving as a Minister of State for Housing in Enda Kenny’s coalition government, he narrowly lost his seat in the 2016 election, as Mr Deasy held onto his berth.
Mr Coffey was nominated to the Seanad by Mr Kenny in 2016.
He was selected to run at the party's convention two years ago when an election seemed imminent.
Fine Gael has since added Mr Cummins and Mr Geoghegan to the Waterford ticket.
The party has been embroiled in controversy in recent years in the area, with increasing tension and bitterness between opposing factions.
This went public in June when the constituency members "overwhelmingly" passed a no-confidence vote in Mr Deasy, with some complaining that he was not active enough around the county and did not support some candidates in the local elections in May.
Allegations of bullying were made but rejected by party bosses.
In a statement, Mr Coffey said he has reflected on his position in recent weeks and has decided to leave public life when the current Seanad ends.
He said: "I have been privileged to have represented my community as a public representative for over 20 years and I have been honoured during that time to serve as a member of Waterford County Council, Deputy Mayor of County Waterford, Chairman of the South East Regional Authority, a member of both Dáil and Seanad Éireann, and also Minister of State.
"I look forward now to focusing on the next chapter of my life and spending more time with my wife and three children, and I am also excited about new opportunities that may present themselves in the time ahead."
The other TDs for Waterford are independent John Halligan and Sinn Féin's David Cullinane.
