Labour TD Ged Nash has ruled himself out of the party's leadership contest.
The Louth TD had been considered one of the potential candidates to enter the race to replace Brendan Howlin.
However, in a statement this morning Deputy Nash - who regained his Dáil seat in the general election having previously lost the seat in 2016 - confirmed he has decided not to put his name forward.
He said: "Just over one week ago, the people of Louth & East Meath honoured me with a mandate to represent them, their families and our community in Dáil Eireann.
"I am proud to have been entrusted with their trust and confidence.
"With that mandate comes enormous responsibility."
Deputy Nash said: "My home town of Drogheda is at present faced with a particular set of complex challenges.
"There is a responsibility on my local Dáil colleagues and I to work night and day both locally and nationally to fix them. This is where my immediate focus must lie."
The Labour leadership race got underway after Brendan Howlin last week announced he will step down as party leader.
Tippeary TD Alan Kelly is set to formally announce his leadership bid later today, while Dublin Bay North TD Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has been speculated to be another possible candidate.
