Outgoing Cork TD confirms his son will go forward for party selection to contest general election

An outgoing Cork TD has said that while leaving his post is “bittersweet” he wishes his successor the best of luck going forward.

Among those who are looking for the Fine Gael party’s nomination to contest the general election in place of sitting Cork East TD David Stanton, is his son Mark, a former University College Cork (UCC) Students’ Union president.

Mr Stanton, a former Minister of State at the Department of Justice, who has served in his position for close to three decades, confirmed his son’s intent to run for nomination at the next Fine Gael convention, to be held on July 19.

“It’s a big decision to look for a nomination. 

“Mark is going forward to the convention, [and] at the end of the day it’s his choice as to what he wants. 

“I’ve always said in this particular job you have to want it for it to work. 

“Whoever comes after me, I wish them the best of luck, whether that’s Mark or not,” he added.

“I don’t own the seat, I’m loaning it.

“It’s up to the members to make that decision [of who is next to run], and I respect that hugely,” he said.

Commenting on his intent to run, Mark Stanton said: “It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a long time.

“When he [David Stanton] announced he was stepping down last year, we started having conversations at home.

“We’re all very proud of him, [and] if I am selected, if I can do half as well as him, I’ll be delighted.

“He’s a tough act to follow,” he added.

“We were always a political household, and my whole life I’ve been interested in it, so the timing just worked out.

“I don’t know who I’ll be up against, but we’ll find out by this weekend.” “It’s exciting, but it’s daunting,” he said.

Speaking on his retirement, Mr Stanton said that while he plans to continue his work in areas of activism, he is looking forward to reducing his hours and seeking some much needed respite.

“I don’t want to end up busier than I am at the moment,” he said.

“Bittersweet it is, but there’s a time to move on. 

“I was very privileged that the people decided to let me represent them for 27 years [but] I’m going on my own terms. 

“I’m slowing down now, [so] I’ll be scaling back a fair bit.” 

Mr Stanton further said that while he has no plans to spend his retirement “waiting for the weeds in the garden to grow” he is looking forward to potentially taking a break down West once his prior commitments have been tied up.