Ex-justice minister Flanagan to retire as TD
Former justice minister Charlie Flanagan will not contest the next general election.
He is a qualified solicitor and was educated at University College Dublin (BA degree in History and Politics) and the Law Society.
He lives in Portlaoise with his wife Mary. He has two daughters, Olwyn and Sophie.
Public service
Laois Offaly Fine Gael TD Charlie Flanagan says "between my father Oliver J and myself that’s 80 years of public service and 23 general elections. In my view now it’s time to pass the baton to a younger generation."
He was first elected 36 years ago.
During his time as minister he ratified the Istanbul Convention on family law and domestic and introduced legislation for the formation of a Judicial Council.
He also served as Minister for Justice and Equality and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and he was Minister for Children and Youth Affairs for a period in 2014.