GENERAL ELECTION: 'False promises won't change a thing' says Pauline Flanagan

Independent candidate Pauline Flanagan is seasoned in political campaigns within Laois, having previously contested in the latest local elections and the General Election of 2020.

Previously a member of Fianna Fáil, the former County Councillor parted ways with the party in November 2023.

We spoke to Ms Flanagan about her experience campaigning so far, her main priorities, and why the people of Laois should elect her to Dáil Éireann.

“I visualised myself walking into the voting booth and questioning, who will I vote for?” Ms Flanagan said. “Who do I really feel passionate about? And I just decided to go for it myself. I can’t get over the feedback and positivity,” she said.

Pictured: Independent candidate Pauline Flanagan

From speaking with the public while canvassing, the candidate maintains that fellow candidates are making disingenuous promises to the public.

“I do believe that it’s very disingenuous the way that parties are making promises at the moment, when we know that it’s mathematically impossible for parties to get the majority,” she said.

“There will be a coalition of some sort, candidates are playing a game at the minute where they can say, 'yes, sorry we promised you something, but now I have to negotiate with another party, so it’s not possible any more'. They are insulting the intelligence of the voters, and it's one of the main reasons I put my name down,” Ms Flanagan stated.

Ms Flanagan maintains that through studying international best practice models, the only way to alleviate the current housing crisis is to empower local government.

“Housing to me is a multifaceted issue, it’s connected to everything. When you look at the Nordic model, when a housing development is going to be built, they look at the local amenities,” Ms Flanagan explained.

“Have we got the créches here, have we got access to a local GP? Are there schools nearby? And they don’t build the houses until all the variables make sense,” she said.

“I read a lot of reports on this, and this is what really bothers me from a strategic perspective. Local government here is seriously underfunded. Cyprus, Greece and Malta are the only other countries as badly funded as we are, and it makes more sense to give local government more power so that all infrastructures aren’t centralised, and we have the bureaucratic system that we have,” Ms Flanagan argued.

Pictured: Ms Pauline Flanagan

“It is really killing an awful lot of potential for society. As a result of this, you have the squeezed middle who can’t afford the cost of living, who are living at home in their early 30’s. The only real solution is to give local government more powers,” she said.

“All the other candidates will agree that yes, housing is an issue, but are they going out there with their troughs and a bit of cement? Are they going to build them? We need to provide actual solutions that are effective and impactful,” she argued.

Rural revitalisation is one of many other issues championed by the candidate.

“The action taken depends on each town, but we absolutely need to rejuvinate our towns across Laois,” she said.

“I live in Portlaoise but I know from working in Stradbally with the Steam Rally, Electric Picnic, and Ploughing Championship organisers that Stradbally desperately needs a community centre. Mountmellick desperately needs a ring road, and Killeshin desperately needs a playground. I will never get over the amount of lorries passing through, Mountmellick, of no benefit to any local businesses. All of these things are needed,” she said.

"I have a son at the moment who is looking to set up a coffee truck with a friend, and they’re looking into any grants they can get. There seems to be an awful lot of red tape around these things, where there should be an incentive for young people to start these businesses. Reduce the energy rates, have them living upstairs above these shops, bring in vibrancy to all towns in Laois, not just Portlaoise,” she said.

While Ms Flanagan believes in an inclusive and fair society for all, she takes issue with the current Government policies in place.

“My ideological perspective will always be about treating everyone with compassion. I could never make anyone feel unwelcome, whether it’s in my home or town, it would not sit right with me,” she said.

“Having said that, I am very uncomfortable with the way policies have been made. I think that the businesses such as Racket Hall in Roscrea having such an incentive to close their hotel to the local community was unfair.

The local community had nowhere to hold their communions and events and so on. There have been a lot of decisions made by Government incentivising businesses, you can’t blame the businesses but it is very damaging. There have been a lot of decisions made by Government that have not benefitted our communities, and that I completely disagree with,” she said

When asked why Laois voters should consider giving her their number one, Ms Flanagan had this to say.

“I feel that people should vote for me because I am a strong, determined, capable person who has the energy and ability to make positive change in Laois. For the first time ever, we have six women on the ballot paper. And my goodness, I would ask all voters out there to affect change,” she said.

“I see mothers in Laois pulling their hair out, and I wonder whether they would vote for someone who totally understands. With absolutely no disrespect for men, if women were running the world, we would have a very different climate,” she said.

“I have enormous respect for my fellow candidates, putting yourself out there is no easy thing to do,” the candidate finished.

Lecturer and independent candidate Pauline Flanagan has a background in local politics, having been co-opted to Laois County Council in 2018.

Ms Flanagan ran and subsequently lost her seat in the 2019 local elections. Ms Flanagan ran for Fianna Fáil in the 2020 General Election, and secured over 1,700 first preference votes. The candidate left Fianna Fáil in November of 2023, and ran for local council in 2024 as an independent.

Holding a doctorate in higher education, a Masters in Public Relations and a BA in Theology and Economics, Ms Flanagan lectures in Public Relations, Marketing, Public Affairs and Sports Sponsorship at SETU.

Originally hailing from an agricultural background in Limerick, Ms Flanagan has lived in Portlaoise for many years, and is married to Gerry Flanagan. The couple have three adult children, Meghan, Frank and Paul Flanagan.

Ms Flanagan describes herself as a ' a strong, determined, capable person' who has the energy and ability to make positive change in Laois.

The candidate's main policies include the revitalisation of local towns, housing, special education, the cost of living crisis, inclusion and the arts.