A Fine Gael TD has resigned from the party.
Sean Conlan, a TD for Cavan-Monaghan, announced his resignation on local radio this afternoon.
Deputy Conlan had already been named as a candidate for Fine Gael to retain his seat in the general election next year.
Mr Conlan was elected to Ballybay Town Council in June 2009. During his time as a student in UCD, he was a chairperson of Young Fine Gael.
His resignation follows that of Monaghan councillor, Hugh McElvaney, who quit Fine Gael over plans to build electricity pylons in the county.
Mr McElvaney was with the party for 40 years.
Speaking to Northern Sound, Councillor McElvaney hit out at Fine Gael - but did not rule out a return to the party in the future.
"Why be part of an organisation and an elected member for it and putting yourself out in the frontline all the time if you're just totally ignored all the time? I was just sick of it" he said.
"I know of Independents and people who have resigned form the party before and have rejoined it, yeah...one never knows what I might do" he added.
Deputy Conlan told Northern Sound it was a difficult decision for him.