He admitted his time as Housing Minister was the most challenging he faced during his career in politics.
Some in Fine Gael HQ are not completely surprised at the move, feeling Eoghan Murphy had lost his love for politics during that difficult time in housing.
The move sets up an intriguing by-election in Dublin Bay South.
The vote will likely be held towards the end of November and former TD Kate O Connell emerges immediately as a serious candidate.
All eyes will also be on the Green Party s Hazel Chu, who s a councillor in the area, a constituency that s also home to her party leader Eamon Ryan.
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The Dublin native has been largely a peripheral figure in the government since last year s general election
Former Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy has resigned as TD for Dublin Bay South.
In a statement, he says he will follow a career in international co-operation, human rights and democracy.
He was re-elected on the eighth count last February in the General Election - getting 16 percent of first preference votes.
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