Long-serving Fine Gael TD Charlie Flanagan has said it has been a ‘great privilege’ to represent Laois-Offaly for more than 30 years – and says he wouldn’t hesitate to recommend a career in politics to “any young person with the energy and commitment to take it on”.
Deputy Flanagan announced his decision to retire at a Laois-Offaly constituency meeting in Clonaslee this evening.
He was first elected to the Dáil in 1987, following in the footsteps of his father Oliver J, who had been there since 1943.
Though he lost his seat in 2002 – and won it back in 2007 – there has been only five years across the past 80 when there wasn’t a Flanagan representing Laois in Leinster House.
He earlier issued an embargoed press release confirming his decision in a lengthy and wide-ranging statement.
Though he received considerable flak during his years in office, particularly in recent years on social media, he said he would still recommend a career in politics to young people.
“Politics is an ever demanding and increasingly high pressure career,” he said.
“The role requires ever crucial focus and 24/7 application. The volatile nature of social media has added significantly to the helter skelter and often chaotic workload of a TD.
“But having spent all my adulthood doing this job there’s no doubting that being a political representative connects you daily to the very lifeblood of the country.
“I genuinely don’t think there’s any other arena where you can get to meet such an array of characters, and be part of so many great changes, incidents unexpected events and surprises.
“That’s why I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend a career in politics to any young person with the energy and commitment to take it on.
“Being elected a TD is a great privilege and I am truly honoured to have enjoyed such a lengthy mandate from the people of Laois-Offaly. For that I remain eternally grateful.”
The next General Election must take place before February 2025 when Laois will return to a three-seater constituency, again breaking away from Offaly.
SEE ALSO – Laois to return to a three-seater constituency as Dáil set to increase to 174 TDs
