Third level hub and indoor sports facility candidate's Laois election agenda

Independent TD Verona Murphy was the special guest who officially launched Pauline Flanagan’s election campaign in Portlaoise on Thursday,  April 11 in the town's Parish Centre.  

Ms  Flanagan, who is running as an independent, spoke about how honoured she was to be an election candidate and how passionate and able she is in her ability to effect change on Laois County Council.

The Portlaoise Municipal District candidate spoke of her dismay at the stories of hardship and frustration she is hearing from people at the doors, particularly with those who have little or no funding in the areas of healthcare, housing and special needs children.

Ms Flanagan, a former Fianna Fáil councillor and General Election candidate, also expressed frustration at the delay in the government assisting the farming community during the worryingly long wet weather spell in Ireland at present. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

She also said that education is an absolute priority for her, including fighting for special needs facilities and for a third level education hub which would then help achieve her objective of receiving funding for an indoor sports arena in Laois. 

“Everyone else is talking about getting an indoor sports facility, but I firmly believe that with my background in education, I can achieve a third level education hub for Laois and thereafter argue for funding for an indoor sports arena," said Ms Flanagan. 

She also said that there are also numerous other areas of importance where she has the ability to make a difference in the community such as youth, mental health, communicating about grants available, resources for women’s refuge centre, achieving an inland business hub and continuing to promote tourism, heritage and the arts in what she calls the ‘Magical Midlands’ in Laois.

Ms Flanagan, who left Fianna Fáil in a dispute over candidate selection, concluded by saying that not only was it time for change but that ‘Change Starts Here’ by supporting and voting for her on polling day June 7.

 The  Wexford TD spoke about the hard worker that Ms Flanagan is and she particularly welcomed Pauline’s support for local business and for the varied voluntary boards and communities that she volunteered with, including Laois Volunteer Centre, Youth Work Ireland Laois and Laois Partnership to name but a few.

“It is clear from the extensive work that Pauline volunteers in, that she is passionate about her community. I was struck when I arrived to Laois by a saying used by Laois Tidy Towns which says ‘Love Where You Live’. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Pauline Flanagan with Verona Murphy TD and other supporters in the Portlaoise Parish Centre.

“Well it has certainly struck me that thanks to Pauline Flanagan’s involvement in numerous community events and organisations, that she plays a huge part in assisting the people of Laois ‘loving where they live’.  I hope you will all come out and vote for a positive change for Laois and give Pauline Flanagan your number 1 vote,” said Dep Murphy.

Ms Flanagan presented the TD with a ‘Laois Taste’ hamper which included a host of locally produced food and drink from Laois.  Local Laois Jeweller, Angelina Greaves also presented Ms Murphy with drop crystal earrings she made from upcycled materials.

Ms Flanagan’s mother, Kathleen Madigan, said that Pauline never stops learning and that she has established clear priorities on her election journey.  "I am aware of the determination that Pauline has to do as much good as she can, while she can and as often as she can,” she said. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

There are seven seats up for grabs to represent Portlaoise in the Municipal District. Dominated by the town, it also includes Abbeyleix, Ballyroan, Ballinakill and The Rock.