Mayo Fine Gael TD Michael Ring has announced that he will not contest the next general election.
Deputy Ring was first elected to the Dáil in 1994 as part of a by-election and would go on to retain his seat for the next 30 years.
A former Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Ring is the 15th sitting TD from the Fine Gael party who will not put their name forward for the election.
Sligo-Leitrim TD Frank Feighan has paid tribute to his party colleague:
