Shock at Fine Gael Laois General Election Convention in Portlaoise as Aird succeeds

The Fine Gael General Election selection convent took a surprise turn which drew gasps which left one man standing to face the electorate for the party at the next General Election.

Despite being nominated and seconded, Cllr Conor Bergin announced that he would be withdrawing his candidacy to represent the election to retain a Dáil seat for the party in the next General Election.

Cllr Bergin said he had run a big campaign but felt that Cllr Aird was the best person to run for the party. His withdrawal was  preceded by the other candidate Paddy Buggy who also endorsed Cllr Aird before being proposed or seconded.

Their withdrawal left the field open for Cllr Aird who told the gathering of members that he was surprised by the withdrawals but he said he felt that his time has come to win the seat held by outgoing TD and former Minster Charlie Flanagan.

Cllr Aird was proposed by Martin McDonald and seconded by Cllr Barry Walse at the convention held in the Killeshin Hotel on Thursday, September 5.

It was not made public going into the Convent what strategy the party would be adopting in the new three-seat Laois constituency at the election which looks set to be held in late 2024.

Senator Garret Ahern oversaw proceedings in Portlaoise flanked by Dep Flanagan, Fine Gael Party Chair Victor Hendy and Secretary Mary Kirwan.

Clllr Aird has served as a Fine Gael County Councillor and Town Councillor in Portlaoise since 1979. A farmer by profession but based in the heart of Portlaoise, he is a consistent local election poll topper winning votes in rural and urban areas.

He reminded Fine Gael hup to 400 party members of this track record at the convention.

Cllr Aird made no secret of his desire to enter national politics over the years but refrained from doing so due to the presence of Charlie Flanagan.

Much younger than his Fine Gael colleague, Cllr Begin is newer to electoral politics. He was first elected to Laois County Council at the 2019 local elections as a representative for the Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District. He would impressively retain the seat in 2024.

Working now in the legal profession, the Borris-in-Ossory native worked previously in the Dáil for Charlie Flanagan.  

The election will be historic for Fine Gael mainly due to the fact the Flanagan family will not be represented on the party's General Election ticket for the first time since the 1950s. 

Oliver J Flanagan was first elected for Fine Gael in 1954 before stepping aside in 1987. His son Charlie served as TD from 1987 to 2002 and from 2007 to the present day. Both father and son served as ministers in Fine Gael Governments.

The next election will also see Laois separated from Offaly for just the second General Election since the foundation of the State. Three TDs will be returned from each constituency due to population growth.

Laois was a three-seater in 2016 when it included Monasterevin and parts of Kildare.

There are currently three Laois-based TDs. Brian Stanley topped the poll 2020 for Sinn Féin and is contesting again this time. Minister Seán Fleming, who topped the poll in 2016 is running for Fianna Fáil. A number of independents are representatives from smaller parties are expected to run in Laois.

Fine Gael's Party HQ have the authority to add a further candidate to the ticket.