John Paul Phelan's decision to bow out of politics at the next General Election might not have shocked Fine Gael party bosses, but it will present major difficulties for them.
The party will face into that election without a sitting TD in ten constituencies.
That makes the task of increasing the party's number of TDs, or even holding its current seats, particularly challenging.
The exact lie of the land will not be certain until the Electoral Commission completes its review of constituencies.
However, some facts are already indisputable.
Four TDs returned to the 33rd Dáil for Fine Gael will not contest the General Election, which is expected to take place late next year or early in 2025.
At different times, Brendan Griffin (Kerry) Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South) John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny) and Joe McHugh (Donegal) were viewed as politicians with careers in the ascent.
It would have been expected that they would have put themselves before the electorate for many more years, if not decades.
Way back in 2011 some were even part of the energetic group branded the "five-a-side" gang, which was later expanded to the "dirty dozen."
They were an alliance of young Fine Gael TDs who advocated Dáil reform and had a penchant for fiscal rectitude.
Eoghan Murphy (now departed from political life) once had hopes to bring group's numbers up to 15 TDs, saying "I won't be happy until I have a rugby team."
Alas, the electorate was less keen on that rugby team idea, and in 2016 the group's number was reduced.
Crucially though, when Leo Varadkar signalled his intention to challenge Enda Kenny leadership, all those remaining TDs were close allies.
That sense of unity may have frayed over the years as their promotion prospects waned, but their departure is no less significant for that.
Plus it raises the question as to whether others will follow?
More fundamentally does it suggest that there is a deep-lying fatigue within Fine Gael after 12 years in government?
This morning some of those currently under the glare of speculation about their futures insisted that they will stand again for the Dáil.
This includes: Charlie Flanagan (Laois-Offaly) veteran TD Bernard Durkan (Kildare-North) and Fergus O'Dowd (Louth).
Cork North West TD Michael Creed and Cork East TD David Stanton did not respond to calls when asked if they intend to run again.
Mr O'Dowd cited his wisdom and experience as the attributes which he will emphasise to a party selection convention.
Indeed, these skills are something the party's leadership and strategists will need in abundance to cope with its TDs exiting politics.
