Taoiseach Simon Harris appoints former Laois/ Offaly TD to top Fine Gael job

FORMER Laois Offaly Fine Gael TD Olwyn Enright has made a dramatic return to active politics.

The Birr woman, who represented Laois/ Offaly in the Dáil from 2002 to 2011, has been appointed the party's Director of Organisation by Taoiseach Simon Harris.

In her new role, the former TD will have responsibility for election and campaign planning together with overall strategy.

Ms Enright, wo is married to Donegal TD Joe McHugh, bowed out of politics in 2011 citing family reasons. She is a daughter of Tom Enright who had an illustrious career in politics over several decades serving as a councillor, TD, Senator and Junior Minister.

Her uncle, Eddie, was a councillor on Birr Town Council for many years, and passed away last year.

Her election to Dáil in 2002 was one of the few bright spots in that contest for Fine Gael with the Michael Noonan led party taking a drubbing at the hands of voters.

Ms Enright is expected to bring a renewed focus to the party in its bid to recapture its rural and law and order ethos.

She will also likely target Offaly as a county where Fine Gael needs to reclaim electoral territory. Ms Enright was replaced in the Dáil by Fine Gael TD Marcella Corcoran Kennedy. She retained her seat in the new seat constituency at the 2016 General Election when Laois and Offaly were split into two three-seaters. She lost her Dáil seat at the 2020 election when the two counties were reunited as a five seater.

Offaly and Laois will be split into two three-seat constituencies at the upcoming General Election.

Her husband is not standing at the General Election in Donegal. He defied his party over the Mica controversy.