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by David Elkin

George Lee has resigned from Fine Gael and Dail Eireann, having served only nine months as a TD following his by-election victory in June of last year.

In a statement released today, Lee said that the decision had been difficult and that after a great deal of reflection, he has decided to step down from his position.

Speaking of his time as TD, the statement reads, "The nine months since then have been a period of enormous economic upheaval. Throughout that period I have done my best to play a positive role in contributing to the national debate and to efforts to find a solution for many of the country's economic problems.

"The reality, however, is that despite my best efforts I have had virtually no influence or input into shaping Fine Gael's economic policies at this most critical time."

The statement continues, "The role I have been playing within the party has been very limited and I have found this to be personally unfulfilling.

"When I entered politics last May I made it clear that I was doing so because I wanted to try to play a new role contributing to economic policy formulation. After nine months of trying within the political system it is now my considered view that the role available to me within Fine Gael is not a role I am happy to play."

Lee, who won the South Dublin by-election in June of last year, continued, "I would like thank most sincerely all those who campaigned for me, for all of their efforts and support. I would also like to thank my Secretarial and Parliamentary Assistants for all of the help and work that they have provided to me.

I particularly want to thank the electorate of Dublin South who voted for me in such large numbers last May. It has been a great privilege and an honour to serve on their behalf. However, I do not believe I would be serving the electorate honestly if I were to continue allowing my efforts and mandate to be used to promote and market economic policies into which I have had no input."

ENDA KENNY RESPONDS

Enda Kenny has released a statement in response to today's announcement, saying that, "I’m greatly saddened by George Lee's decision to resign from Fine Gael and politics just eight months into his new Dáil career."

The Fine Gael leader goes on to praise Lee in his work across the country on the Business and Economic Forum and in his work with the party's Economic and Business Affairs Committee.

Kenny goes on to reveal that George Lee was due to attend the OECD later this week together with a senior Fine Gael delegation, and that he regrets that this will not happen.