Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O’Brien has announced that he will not be contesting the next general election.

The Cork North Central TD has represented the constituency for the past nine years.

In a statement he said he now feels the “time is right to pursue new personal challenges and opportunities.”

“I have had the great privilege and honour to serve the people of Cork for twenty years as a Sinn Féin elected representative, first as a member of Cork City Council for 11 years and the last 9 years as a TD,” he said.

“In that time I have contested seven elections on behalf of Sinn Féin and I want to thank the voters for giving me the opportunity to represent them.

“I have always served in public office to the best of my ability as a proud member of Sinn Féin, as an Irish Republican and a socialist.

“After two decades, I feel the time is right to pursue new personal challenges and opportunities, and to step down knowing I have played a part over many years in ensuring Sinn Féin is in a very strong position in Cork North Central.”

The Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said Deputy O’Brien’s “talent and calibre will undoubtedly be missed as a public representative.”

“Jonathan has given a firm commitment that he will continue to serve the people of his constituency to the best of his ability until the next General Election and I have no doubt that he will do that over the coming period,” she said.

“Given that Sinn Féin recorded our best ever result in the Cork North Central constituency in November's by-elections, I have every confidence that we will retain this seat in the next General Election when it comes.”