Former Labour leader Brendan Howlin has announced plans to stand down as a TD.

The Wexford TD said he will not be contesting the next election after a 40-year political career.

Deputy Howlin spent 36 years as a TD – holding the position of Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in the years following the crash and Health Minister in the early 90s’.

In a statement, he said it has been the “privilege of my life” to have represented Wexford for nine consecutive Dáil terms.

“I am forever grateful for the support I have received for almost four decades from the Wexford people and the wonderful members of the Labour Party,” he said.

“I remember those friends and comrades who have passed on down the years whose loyalty and fellowship I will always treasure.”

He said he will “continue to work to the best of my ability for all Wexford people”.

“I will also do all that I can to ensure that our great county continues to be served by a Labour TD in the decades to come,” he said.

Howlin was first elected as a TD in 1987 and served at Cabinet on three occasions.

He was also the Leas-Cheann Comhairle from 2007 to 2011.

He was Labour leader from 2016 to 2020 and deputy Labour leader from 1997 to 2002.