Kildare TD (78) said he fully intends to stand at next general election

Veteran Kildare North TD Bernard Durkan has confirmed he intends to stand at the next general election — which will make him one the oldest candidates to go before voters.

Mr Durkan's was name mentioned on RTE's Morning Ireland on Friday morning by presenter Mary Wilson as a possible candidate who may decide to not run again. 

But Mr Durkan (78) told the Leinster Leader today that he fully intends to contest the next general election. 

He confirmed: "Yes, I will be standing next time around."

The Mayo native was first elected at the 1981 general election almost 40 years ago.

He later lost his seat in February 1982 but was re-elected in November 1982 and at every general election since then with an unbroken record of service.