Children's Minister Katherine Zappone says she plans to leave Irish politics, after losing her Dáil seat yesterday.
She lost out to Fianna Fail's John Lahart and the Green Party's Francis Noel Duffy, who took the final two seats in Dublin South West.
The independent politician had spent almost five years as a senator before her election to the Dáil in 2016.
She was one of the independent TDs to back the Fine Gael led minority government, securing a senior ministerial position in the process.
However, she said she'll now be continuing her push for change outside Leinster House.
Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone, who’s lost her seat in #DublinSouthWest , says she now plans to bow out of Irish politics #GE2020 pic.twitter.com/3ec9ZHE7Fv
— Stephen Murphy (@StephenMNews) February 10, 2020
Speaking at the count cente yesterday, she explained: "I've always felt that I was a bit of an accidental politician.
"I was appointed to the Seanad nine years ago - I had a wonderful time there.
"I had the privilege of serving the people of Dublin South West for the past four years - and I want to say thank you to them for that opportunity - and as Children's Minister.
"So I have decided that I will just continue my change work now outside of Irish politics."
Ms Zappone was not the only senior minister to lose a seat in the Dáil - with her outgoing cabinet colleagues Regina Doherty and Shane Ross also failing to win re-election.
