Politicians say they have to weigh up pros and cons before deciding, but the call of an ordinary life can be hard to resist
Bríd Smith said she is looking forward to life outside of the Dáil. Photo: Collins
Last Thursday night, on the long drive from Leinster House on one side of the country to his home constituency of Kerry on the other, outgoing TD Brendan Griffin watched the election posters appear.
The first he saw were around Adare in Limerick, and more again as he crossed over the Kerry border. “It was unusual in a way to see them and know that you’re not going to see one of your own,” Mr Griffin said. He is leaving national politics at the age of 42 after spending 13 years in the Dáil.