Tributes paid as former Labour leader and minister Brendan Howlin to retire

Warm tributes have been paid to former Labour leader Brendan Howlin who has confirmed he will not be standing at the next General Election.

The veteran Wexford TD’s departure clears the way for long-standing Wexford ally George Lawlor to replace him.

First elected to the Dáil in 1987, Howlin served as health and later environment minister in governments between 1993 and 1997.

Following Labour’s historic result in the 2011 General Election, Howlin was appointed Minister ...