We may not know yet when the next General Election will actually be held – but it’s a big evening this evening for Fine Gael in Laois as they decide who they will run as their candidate.
The retirement of long-serving TD and former Minister Charlie Flanagan – whose Dáil career spans 37 years – has opened the door for a new name to come forward in Laois.
And this evening in the Killeshin Hotel, party members in Laois are being asked who to select as their running mate.
Councillors Willie Aird and Conor Bergin as well as recent Local Election candidate Paddy Buggy have been formally nominated and members will vote for a candidate this evening.
Party HQ will reveal on the night how many candidates are to be selected, though it will be a surprise if they opt to select two from this evening’s convention.
It is possible they will add an additional candidate at a later date.
Senator Garret Ahern from Tipperary will be chairing the meeting which will also hear a final address from Charlie Flanagan to the party members.
It is a real changing of the guard for Fine Gael who have had a member of the Flanagan family as their standard bearer for almost 80 years.
Between Charlie and his late father Oliver J, they have been elected on 22 occasions.
We will endeavour to keep you up to date in our Live Blog below.
SEE ALSO – Aontú set to put forward General Election candidate in Laois for the first time
