Long-serving Laois-Offaly Fine Gael TD Charlie Flanagan has announced that he will not contest the next General Election, thus bringing an end to his long political career.
Deputy Flanagan, who will turn 67 in November, was first elected as a TD in the 1987 General Election and was subsequently elected on seven more occasions.
Though he lost his seat in 2002, he was re-elected in 2007 and in all has spent over 30 years in Leinster House, and held two ministries – Foreign Affairs and Justice.
He announced his decision at tonight’s Laois-Offaly Fine Gael constituency meeting in Clonaslee, the last gathering before the party splits its organisation into two separate county units.
The next election will see Laois as a three-seater in its own right and his decision to step back will open the door to a new Fine Gael candidate to emerge.
As it stands, Fine Gael is well stocked with young councillors in Laois including two recent Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council – Thomasina Connell (who was Flanagan’s running mate in 2006) and Conor Bergin.
Cllrs Barry Walsh and PJ Kelly, who have both been co-opted in the term of this council, are possible contenders too as you’d imagine will Vivienne Phelan, though not a councillor, is set to contest next year’s Local Elections once again.
Long-serving Portlaoise-based councillor Willie Aird may also be a contender though Aisling Moran, who was elected to the council in 2019 and whose late father John contested the 2011 election for the party, has left Fine Gael and is now an independent.
The next General Election has to be held prior to February 2025 and the decision not to seek re-election is likely to bring to an end the Flanagan political dynasty in Laois, one that stretches back 80 years to when his father Oliver J was first elected to the Dáil.
Oliver J served for a TD for 44 years, before Charlie was elected in 1987.
“As we gather to bid farewell to the constituency of Laois/Offaly and reconfigure the Fine Gael organisation in two new county constituencies of Laois and Offaly it feels like the right time to make a personal announcement,” he told this evening’s meeting.
“I wish to signal my intent to step back from front line politics and will not be contesting the next general election.
“It is now 36 years since I was first elected to Dail Eireann. Between my father Oliver J and myself that’s 80 years of public service and 23 General Elections. In my view now it’s time to pass the baton to a younger generation.
“I’m honoured to have enjoyed a thoroughly fulfilling political career serving both as your TD and at the cabinet table in two of the most influential Departments of State – Foreign Affairs and Justice.
“I’m particularly pleased to have negotiated on behalf of the Irish Government the Stormont House Agreement & Fresh Start Agreement in Northern Ireland and to serve as Minister for Foreign Affairs at the time of the twin challenges of Brexit and Ireland’s successful pursuit of a set seat on the UN Security Council.
“During my time in Justice, I ratified the Istanbul Convention, an International Human Rights Treaty on Family Law and Domestic abuse, oversaw the publication of the landmark Report on the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and introduced transformational legislation for oversight and regulation of Judges.
Picture: Alf Harvey/HRPhoto.ie
“Over the years I have also had the honour to serve as Fine Gael party Chair, Party Chief Whip and Director of Elections for the party at numerous by-elections and national referendums.
“In particular, I want to acknowledge the thousands of men and women across Laois-Offaly who have sustained me in my career, many of whom have never cast a number 1 vote for any other candidate apart from my father or myself.
“This support and encouragement over the years has been a huge source of personal and professional fulfilment for me without which I could not have functioned as a public representative.
“It’s both humbling and deeply moving to have been the recipient of such loyalty. I never took it for granted and I certainly will never forget it.
“The counties of Laois and Offaly have undergone huge changes over the past decades and I’m particularly pleased to be closely associated with some of those improvements, massive economic development, jobs, education, recreational facilities and infrastructure like motorway projects.
“In more recent times I was delighted to secure funding for the Slieve Bloom Mountain Bike Trail, and I look forward to spending more time there in the future.
“I acknowledge the work and dedication of the Fine Gael organisation in Laois/Offaly and our team of local councillors for your dedicated work and service on behalf of Fine Gael over the period of my tenure in Dáil Eireann.
“Politics is about teamwork, and for me it has been a real privilege to be part of this team.
“I thank my office staff for their unstinting loyalty and commitment in running my busy constituency operation here in Laois/Offaly. Most importantly I thank my family who have stood by me and with me over the years.
“Family endorsement and support is hugely significant in the roller coaster of political life.”
“Being elected a TD is a great privilege,” he added.
“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 two new constituencies of Laois and Offaly are now engaged in the task of selecting new Dáil candidates to contest the next General Election and I am signalling my intentions now in order to offer my assistance, encouragement, advice and experience in that task that lies ahead.”
Charlie Flanagan’s decision not to put his name forward at the next General Election makes him the latest Fine Gael TD to announce his retirement following on from Richard Bruton, Michael Creed, Joe McHugh, Brendan Griffin, John Paul Phelan, and David Stanton.
SEE ALSO – LISTEN: LaoisToday Talking Politics Podcast with Minister Charlie Flanagan (2019 interview)
