Laois Fine Gael councillor shows General Election hand in wake of Charlie Flanagan's departure
A second councillor in Laois could be one of those to become a Fine Gael TD after saying he will give the matter some 'consideration' at the right time.
Cllr Conor Bergin represents the Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District on Laois County Council. He was elected to the Council in his first Local Elections in 2019 at the age of 25.
A former employ of the departing Charlie Flanagan, he revealed his short-term intentions to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.
“I am 100% focused on the Local Elections which will take place next June. I fought hard to win my seat on Laois County Council in 2019 and I will have to fight an uphill battle to hold my Council seat in 2024. I really enjoy my role as a Laois County Councillor and I am determined to work hard to be re-elected, but it will be very challenging in such a competitive area going up against outgoing Councillors and strong new candidates. The local elections are my main focus right now," he said.
A former Political Advisor to the Dep Flanagan when he was Minister for Justice and Equality, the now trainee solicitor spoke about the possibility of joining the Fine Gael ticket at the next General Election.
“The next General Election isn’t due until 2025 and while I’m not ruling anything in or anything out this early, I really can’t see any further than the local elections next year at this point in time.
“It is a great honour to be a member of Laois County Council and to have been the youngest ever person to serve as Cathaoirleach. I hope to continue to work hard for the people of our county. I pay tribute to Charlie Flanagan’s good work over a long number of years in Laois. Naturally, I’ll give every consideration to the future at the appropriate time," said the Borris in Ossory native.
His fellow Fine Gael councillor Thomasina Connell has already said she would let her name go before a Laois FG convention.
A solicitor by profession, she contested the 2016 General Election for the party and is now a Portlaoise Municipal District Laois County Councillor.
Three seats will be up for grabs in the reformed Laois constituency at the next General Election.