Carlow-based MJ Nolan has announced his decision not to contest the forthcoming General Election and to retire from politics.
The 59-year-old politician has worked for 37 years as a public representative at local and national levels. He says that next month, he turns 60, and believes that now the time is right to step down.
In a statement to the Kilkenny Advertiser Deputy Nolan said, “It has been a great honour to serve the people of Carlow-Kilkenny as their Dail Deputy for 24 years. I endeavoured to work to the best of my ability to help and assist the people I represented. There were times of achievement and times of disappointment. That’s politics and ultimately it is for others to make a judgement.
“Since first putting my name on a ballot paper in 1974, I have contested 14 elections. To put your name before the people and be entrusted with their support has been a gratifying experience.”
Deputy Nolan added that he was grateful to the many people who supported him over the years particularly friends and colleagues in Fianna Fáil.
“The dedication and assistance of my office team was always appreciated. My approach has been to work with people, no matter what their politics, to achieve common goals. To this end I would like to recognise the work of my current and former constituency colleagues.”
Summing up Deputy Nolan said, “we are now facing major challenges that require strong leadership, clear policies and tough decisions. However, it is important not to lose sight of how far we’ve come. Yes, the task ahead is great; but Ireland has overcome many obstacles before. We are a resilient race and the people of Ireland will persevere.”
Meanwhile, the Taoiseach thanked Deputy Nolan for his many years of long-service and commitment to his community and to Fianna Fáil.
“MJ Nolan has done trojan work for the people of Carlow-Kilkenny. He has been a strong advocate on their behalf in Dáil Éireann and he has represented them with skill and true ability.
“MJ and I have served together through some tumultuous times in Irish politics and I know him as a politician who has always been committed to the common good and the betterment of the Irish people.
He has been a decent, competent and very popular colleague. I want to thank him and his wife Mary, their children and their extended family for their commitment to politics and to our party. I wish MJ well in his retirement and I thank him too for many years of friendship.
