Former Labour party leader Eamon Gilmore has announced he will not be seeking re-election to the Dáil at the next General Election.

The Dun Laoighre TD said he informed party leader Joan Burton of his decision earlier today.

“It has been an honour to represent the people of Dun Laoghaire for the past 30 years,” Mr Gilmore said.

Following election to the Dáil in 1989, Mr Gilmore won re-election at each election in the past 26 years.

“I wish to thank the members of the Labour Party in Dun Laoghaire for their continued support and friendship, and the staff with whom I have worked for their loyalty and hard work. 

“I look forward to continuing to contribute to public life and the Labour Party,” he added.

Mr Gilmore began his political career as a councillor in 1985, was named Labour party leader in 2007 and served as Tánaiste from 2011 to 2014.

Labour party leader Jan Burt0no has paid tribute to her colleague, thanking him for “his immense contribution to political life as a public representative, as Party Leader and as Tánaiste.

Ms Burton hailed Mr Gilmore’s leadership in choosing to enter government following the 2011 General Election.

“Eamon led the Labour Party to our greatest ever election result, and rather than take the easy option of opposition, he led the party into Government, knowing full well the difficult path that lay ahead,” she said.

“But he also knew that Labour would be essential to ensuring Ireland’s recovery after Fianna Fail’s disastrous tenure. He worked tirelessly and painstakingly to bring about that jobs-led recovery, and the results of that work are now evident,” she added.

Highlighting one recent achievement, Ms Burton said Mr Gilmore, who led the push for a marriage equality referendum, “deserves lasting credit for his role in bringing about the marriage equality referendum. 

“Just as the overwhelming Yes vote for equality was one of Ireland’s finest hours, it was one of Eamon’s finest hours too.”