Fine Gael TD for Carlow-Kilkenny John Paul Phelan has announced that he will not stand in the next General Election, citing health reasons.
He suffered a heart attack in 2020 and has yet to fully recover from the medical event.
In a statement, Mr Phelan said that it "nearly all came to an end for me" at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said that he had been advised by his doctor to "remove stress" from his life.
Mr Phelan added: "Very few people get a second chance. I've gotten one. I’ve been one of the lucky few.
"My mandate to be a voice for the people of Carlow and Kilkenny is one which I will continue to serve.
"I will work as hard as ever for the remainder of this Dáil term, serving all of my constituents, all of the time.
"There is unfinished business and I will continue to deliver for this constituency."
Mr Phelan has previously served as Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, but was not reappointed in 2020.
He was first elected a TD in 2011, having previously served two terms in the Seanad. He was first elected a councillor in 1999.
While Mr Phelan had been a strong supporter for Leo Varadkar in the Fine Gael leadership challenge, he had become more critical in recent years since he returned to the backbenches.
Phelan's exit not a shock, but will bring challenges for FG
