Fine Gael’s Josepha Madigan resigns as minister and will not stand in election

Fine Gael’s Josepha Madigan has announced she has resigned as Minister of State of Special Education and will not stand at the next general election.

Ms Madigan, who was also a Minister for Culture until 2020, is now the 11th Fine Gael representative to confirm they will not contest the next general election.

The Dublin Rathdown TD said she told Taoiseach Leo Varadkar last summer that she would not run again.

“We have had many conversations since but I have not changed my mind. I want to thank him for allowing me the time and space to reconsider my decision,” Ms Madigan said in a statement.

“This coming May, I will be a Fine Gael public representative for 10 years.”

She was a councillor in the Stillorgan area from 2014 until 2016 before becoming a TD in 2016.

Ms Madigan also said she has backed Simon Harris to become the next leader of Fine Gael.

“I will be voting for Simon Harris to be the next leader of Fine Gael and Taoiseach,” she said.

“I have been fortunate to have worked with Enda Kenny and Leo Varadkar, two outstanding leaders of Fine Gael and taoisigh.

“I have no doubt that Simon Harris will also be a huge success as Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach. I have already told him that he has my full support but it will be in a different role.

“I am today confirming my decision not to contest the next general election. I am also resigning today from my ministerial position.

“I wish Simon the very best in forming a new Fine Gael ministerial team to lead the party into the next election.

“Politics is not an easy profession but that does not mean it is not a rewarding one.

“I hope that people with strong hearts, resilience and courage will continue to enter public life to help better our country and its people. Over the last 10 years I did all I could to achieve that objective.

“Finally, I would like to thank my own team, my departmental officials and my family, whose support has been vital in my work as a TD and Minister.”

In a statement, Mr Varadkar said: “Josepha is an extremely hard-working Fine Gael public representative. From councillor to Minister, she has been dedicated and committed to her work.

“We first met at a Strictly Come Dancing charity fundraiser in South Dublin back in 2015 when she was a candidate for the Dail. My partner, Matt, was one of the competitors. Shane Ross TD, then in opposition, was a judge.

“We hit it off and have been friends ever since. She is easily one of the kindest and most empathetic politicians I know. Sometimes kindness in politics is seen as weakness. I believe it is one of her strengths.

“I appointed her Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in 2017 where she kicked off my plan to double expenditure on arts and culture by 2024, which has been achieved.

“She became the first ever Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion in 2020 with a budget of more than a billion euros, a role we crafted together.

“She has overseen a significant increase in investment in special education and inclusion. More special classes and special schools have opened and more SNAs and special education teachers are working in schools now, thanks to her work.

“She has ensured that many more children have the very best start in life.”