End of an era as Laois Offaly TD announces decision to step back from politics

Fine Gael members gathered in Clonaslee this week to mark the splitting of the Laois Offaly and plan for the future.

However, the ending of the union was overtaken by the announcement by the party's constituency TD Charlie Flanagan that he would not be standing at the next General Election.

“It feels like the right time to make a personal announcement. I wish to signal my intent to step back from front line politics and will not be contesting the next general election,” he told members on September 25.

“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,” he said.

The former minister spoke about his career highlights.

“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 and 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.

“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,” he said. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

He thanked local people for their support.

“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 one 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,” he said.

He spoke about change in Laois and Offaly.

“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 cconomic 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,” he said.

He praised the work done by his party on the ground.

“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,” he said. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

He also spoke about the changing political pressures.

“Politics is an ever-demanding and increasingly high-pressure career. 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,” he said. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

He also pledged his support to Fine Gael in their search for candidates in the two new constituencies.

“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,” he concluded.