Laois' outgoing Cathaoirleach believes elections will trigger an early General Election
Fianna Fail's Paschal McEvoy expects his party to gain a seat in Laois
Laois’ outgoing Cathaoirleach, Fianna Fail’s Paschal McEvoy, believes the Local and European Election results will prompt an early General Election.
McEvoy polled strongly in the Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District, according to tallies.
“By all accounts I am going fairly well and I am expecting to be elected later this evening, on the second or third count hopefully,” he said.
He said he was confident the party’s six Laois councillors would be returned and he is now hopeful a seventh seat will be picked up in Portlaoise. “That’s still in the balance,” he said.
McEvoy said his experience canvassing on the doorsteps was mostly positive, something he believed was helped by the health of the economy at present. He did acknowledge there are issues for people with regard to housing and immigration.
He believes a General Election is more likely to be called this year as a result of the Local and European Elections.
“After the outcome of the European Election we are probably going to get three elected. Barry Cowen is a sitting TD and that means there is going to be a by-election and there is probably going to have to be the same in Fine Gael. You have to call a by-election within six months. Why would you put someone in for a few weeks. We will have to call a General Election before the end of this year. I would say November,” he said.