Fine Gael candidate Stephanie Regan has resigned from the party over a dispute in Dublin Bay North as to who should represent the party at the General Election.

Ms Regan said Fine Gael headquarters have indicated they will put Senator Catherine Noone on the ticket with Minister for Education Richard Bruton, she feels she can no longer remain.

In a statement she claimed that “Fine Gael headquarters have indicated that they are keen to only have Senator Catherine Noone on the ticket with Minister Bruton”.

Ms Regan said resisting headquarters is “quite an arduous battle”.

“The drain of energy and the negativity are an anathema to the positive life I like to live and to the positive mental health work that is core to who I am personally and professionally.

“For these reasons I will not be contesting this convention, although my own interest in representing people remains firm as does my interest in protecting the area of Dublin Bay North,” she said.

“Fine Gael headquarters do not take kindly to those who have different views to themselves,” she said.