People involved in politics are being subjected to a level of abuse "that simply didn't exist 20 years ago".
Fine Gael Galway East TD Ciaran Cannon announced last month he will not stand in the next general election.
First elected to the Dáil in 2011, Deputy Cannon said social media has 'amplified a tiny cohort' in society and given them a platform to abuse politicians.
"At times it feels like it's open season on you and your family. That's not acceptable, nor indeed sustainable, if we want to have good people choosing politics as a career," he said.
Deputy Cannon told Lunchtime Live he is falling 'out of love' with the profession.
"I've done this for 20 years, I've loved every single minute but I'm beginning to fall out of love with something that I've enjoyed immensely," he said.
"I don't want to be that TD in five years' time who has come full circle and is just not enjoying the work anymore.
"I'm at a point now when I just say, 'That's it, I've given 20 years of my life to that and I want to do something else'".
'Fast tracked' abuse
Deputy Cannon said social media has brought abuse to his phone every day.
"Not alone me but indeed most other people involved in politics are being subjected to a level of abuse that simply didn't exist 20 years ago," he said.
"It was there somehow hovering in the background and you might encounter one or two abusive people in a month.
"Now it's being fast tracked on to your phone screen every day through social media."
'It's been hijacked'
Deputy Cannon said he believes "in general" social media is a force for good, as it allows people to engage directly with representatives.
"It's been hijacked by a small number of people, a small cohort of people, who want to direct abuse at people who put their heads above the parapet," he said.
"Particularly - and I think this is something we really need to look very closely at and address - is that abuse and invective directed towards women.
"We are seeing every day now my female colleagues across all parties and none putting up sometimes very helpful information on social media.
"The level of abuse, invective hatred and misogyny laid bare directed at them is something we all need to be deeply concerned about".
A WhatsApp icon on a smartphone showing message notifications, 2-4-21. Image: Stephen Frost / AlamyDeputy Cannon said there is a fine line between disagreeing with policies and attacking the person.
"You are a public figure, you have gone out there and put your mugshot on posters," he said.
"You've delivered leaflets in people's letterboxes saying, 'I want to serve you'.
"So you are, and quite rightly, needed to be subjected to public scrutiny to see do you deliver on those commitments."
'Tipping the scales'
Deputy Cannon said he believes politics is reaching a tipping point.
"We've reached a point now where we are dangerously close to tipping the scales in the other direction, where it's not about your accountability as a public servant, it's about directing abuse towards you for whatever reason," he said.
"We have to ask ourselves is this because public discourse in general has got more abusive... or is social media somehow applifying a tiny cohort within society and giving them a platform they've never had before?
"I think it's the latter".
Deputy Cannon said it's not about any one hurtful post or comment but "a cumulative drip, drip, drip effect".
He added that the social media companies "aren't doing enough to solve this problem - they have the resources at their fingertips".
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