Offaly looks set to have all three elected TDs in the next Government

It's looking more and more likely that all three TDs elected in the General Election in Offaly will be in Government once it is formed. 

Once the national result became clear, Fianna Fail's Tony McCormack and Fine Gael's John Clendennen were set to sit on the Government benches but it now looks like they will be joined by the poll-topper in Offaly, Carol Nolan.

The Independent TD has confirmed her membership of the newly formed Regional Independent Group of TDs and this group looks increasingly likely to be the third part of the next Government. She had previously been a member of the Rural Independents Group

The Regional Independent Group of TDs is made up of Michael Lowry, Noel Grealish, Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, Seán Canney, Marian Harkin, Verona Murphy, Carol Nolan, Barry Heneghan and Gillian Toole. 

Speaking after her nomination to the Group was confirmed, Dep Nolan said that she will work with "energetic determination" to ensure that the concerns and needs of the people are Offaly are given the most effective platform possible during the lifetime of the 34th Dáil.

“I want to thank my colleagues in the Regional Independent Group for their warm welcome and I want to assure the people of Offaly that I remain as committed as ever to advancing their best interests," she said in a statement on December 11.

Dep Nolan, who clashed with Ministers on several occasions in the outgoing Dáil, has taken strong stances on housing and immigration. She was particularly critical of the Green Party's influence on Government.

“My core priorities remain in place, including addressing our housing crisis, urgently improving the emergency situation in special needs education and health, tackling decimated farm incomes and fighting for a robust and fearless policy re-evaluation of our broken and overwhelmed immigration system.

“I can assure my supporters that while I will work collaboratively and constructively with my Regional colleagues, I will always place the interests of Offaly and our country first. I can also guarantee those who have entrusted me with their votes that my voice will not be tamed by an uncritical allegiance to any party or future Government formation,” said Dep Nolan.

The independent was elected to the Dáil in 2016 as a Sinn Féin TD for Offaly and parts of Tipperary. She resigned from Sinn Féin in June 2018 over the party's stance on abortion which she opposed.

The Candamstown native and former teacher was re-elected to Leinster House in 2020 as an independent for Laois Offaly.