Fine Gael TD Damien English has announced that he will not stand in the next general election.
The Meath West deputy's decision brings to 17 the number of Fine Gael TDs elected in 2020 who will not contest the upcoming poll.
Thirty-five Fine Gael members were elected in 2020.
Mr English first secured a place in the Dáil in 2002 at the age of 24.
Highly regarded within his party and constituency, the 46-year-old was viewed as being well placed to retain his seat.
However, Mr English told party members in Meath that it is time to pass on the baton to a new generation of talented politicians.
He said that he enjoyed his long political career but it is time to move on.
Mr English previously served as a minister of state at the Departments of Enterprise and Housing.
In January 2023 he resigned as a junior minister after The Ditch website revealed he had failed to disclose the fact that he already had a home when making a planning application in 2008.
This allowed him to be categorised as an applicant with a "housing need" and helped him get planning permission for a new house in Co Meath.
In his resignation letter, Deputy English admitted he "failed to inform Meath County Council about ownership of a house in Castlemartin" adding "this was wrong, not up to the standard required and I apologise for doing so".
Most recently he was an influential figure in organising Fine Gael's local elections campaign in his role as director of elections.
Councillor Linda Nelson Murray was selected by the party to contest election in Meath West.
She paid tribute to Mr English saying "he leaves behind a rich legacy of service to the people of Meath West, which I hope to build on".
"He has been a mentor to me for some time, but more importantly, he has been and remains a good friend. I wish him much happiness in his next chapter."
Mr English endorsed Ms Nelson Murray saying she is "the best person to win the seat and be a strong, fresh voice for the people of Meath in the Dáil".
