Laois councillor confirms bid for seat in the Seanad

One of Fine Gael's Laois county councillors has ended months of speculation by confirming his intention to run for a seat in the senate.

Cllr Conor Bergin confirmed that he would be running for a second chamber in Leinster House to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

“I am honoured to be nominated by Fine Gael to contest the upcoming Seanad Éireann General Election on the Administrative Panel.

"If elected, I want to be a strong voice for Laois as a member of the Oireachtas and work closely with our three TDs to deliver for our county.

"If successful, I will continue to work for the people of Laois on local issues across the county as a member of Seanad Éireann.

"Over the coming weeks, I will be calling to Fine Gael Councillors, TDs and Senators across the country to ask for their number one vote or next highest preference on the Administrative Panel," he said.

After Cllr Bergin retained his seat on Laois County Council in June, the Borris-in-Ossory native began canvassing Fine Gael members to run in the General Election.

However, he pulled out half way through his speech at the Fine Gael General Election selection convention in June. The decision surprised his own support at the event where Willie Aird was selected.

It was speculated at the time that a deal was struck which would see him getting his party's backing for a tilt at the Seanad.