Compelling case to give Laois and Offaly an extra TD - insist Fianna Fáil Minister
The first and only poll-topping TD in a standalone Laois Dáil constituency agrees with the decision to give Laois and Offaly three representatives each in Leinster House.
Fianna Fáil TD Seán Fleming has welcomed the Electoral Commission report of recommendations for Ireland’s Dáil constituency boundaries in particular its impact locally.
Due to population rises the Commission has recommended that two new three-seat constituencies in the counties which were united in one constituency up to 2016 when separated. At the time Laois took in part of Kildare around Monasterevin while Offaly annexed part of north Tipperary.
However, the split was shortlived as another boundary commission decided to reunite the counties in 2020 with out Kildare and Tipperary. However, Portarlington, Killendard and Ballybrittas were then put into Kildare South.
Minister of State Fleming believes there was little choice but to split the counties again.
"Due to an increase in the population in the counties of Laois and Offaly, there was a compelling case for an extra Dáil seat to represent the people of both counties," he said.
The changes will also mean that all of Laois will be in a Dáil constituency of its own for the first time.
"I look forward to continuing my work and representing the people of Laois both now and into the future," he said.
Minister Fleming topped the poll in Laois in 2016 when he topped the poll with 13,626 number ones which was more than one-third of all first preferences.
He was the only Fianna Fáil candidate in field of just six hopefuls which saw the three seats decided after just three counts. Charlie Flanagan of Fine Gael and Brian Stanley were also returned to the Dáil after an uneventful campaign.
All three won seats in the 2011 and 2020 General Elections when Laois and Offaly were combined. Dep Flanagan topped the poll in 2011 while Dep Stanley had that honour in 2020.
The next General Election can be held no later than 2025.