Recent Laois Offaly TD looks set to be in Government

A former Laois Offaly TD is on course for a role in Government with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael after joining 

Independent TD for Offaly Carol Nolan has confirmed her membership of the newly constituted Regional Independent Group of TDs.

Ms Nolan, who taught in a Laois Gaelscoil, has confirmed her nomination to the Dáil grouping which includes Michael Lowry and seven other independents. The former Sinn Féin TD represented Laois Offaly between 2020 and 224 when the counties were split again at the General Election. She topped the poll after the first count in Offaly at the General Election.

The non-party group also includes Noel Grealish, Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, Seán Canney, Marian Harkin, Verona Murphy, Carol Nolan, Barry Heneghan and Gillian Toole. They seem close to allying with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

Speaking after her nomination to the Group was confirmed, Dep Nolan said that she will work with "energetic determination" to ensure that the concerns and needs of the people are Offaly are given the most effective platform possible during the lifetime of the 34th Dáil. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Carol Nolan is elected as a TD for Laois Offaly at the General Election 2020 count in Portlaoise. Photo: Alf Harvey.

“I want to thank my colleagues in the Regional Independent Group for their warm welcome and I want to assure the people of Offaly that I remain as committed as ever to advancing their best interests," she said in a statement on December 11.

Dep Nolan, who clashed with Ministers on several occasions in the outgoing Dáil, has taken strong stances on housing and immigration. She was particularly critical of the Green Party's influence on Government.

“My core priorities remain in place, including addressing our housing crisis, urgently improving the emergency situation in special needs education and health, tackling decimated farm incomes and fighting for a robust and fearless policy re-evaluation of our broken and overwhelmed immigration system.

“I can assure my supporters that while I will work collaboratively and constructively with my Regional colleagues, I will always place the interests of Offaly and our country first. I can also guarantee those who have entrusted me with their votes that my voice will not be tamed by an uncritical allegiance to any party or future Government formation,” said Dep Nolan.

The independent was elected to the Dáil in 2016 as a Sinn Féin TD for Offaly and parts of Tipperary. She resigned from Sinn Féin in June 2018 over the party's stance on abortion which she opposed.

The Candamstown native and former teacher was re-elected to Leinster House in 2020 as an independent for Laois Offaly. She ran a big canvas in Laois during that General Election. On her return to the Dáil joining the Rural  Rural Group of Independent TDs in the 33rd Dail. 

This Group included Danny and Michael Healy-Rae, Mattie McGrath, Michael Collins and Richard O'Donoghue. The later TDs went on to form independent Ireland.

Dep Nolan is a former teacher who taught in Gaelscoil Thromaire near Mountrath. She worked alongside former GAA President Liam O'Neill. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Her decision to join a new independent group in Government will likely rankle with Sinn Féin which as lost two TDs in Laois and Offaly in the space of a decade. Laois TD Brian Stanley resigned from the party just before the 2024 General Election and was re-elected as an independent.

It is not clear what group Dep Stanley will join in the next Dáil or if he will support the government.