The story of Day 1 at the Laois General Election count centre was the stunning success of first time Fine Gael candidate Willie Aird, who topped the poll. Elected first to Portlaoise Town Commission in 1979, he has been a local representative for 45 years. He joined us on our LoveLaois Podcast to discuss his success, his amazing career in politics and what he feels like to be going to Dail Eireann to represent the people of Laois. We also hear from Fianna Fail's Sean Fleming who is set to retain his seat as well as Sinn Fein's Maria McCormack who polled strongly and retains an outside chance. As well as that we chat to Independent candidates Aisling Moran and Elaine Mullally and also to Conor Dunne (Fine Gael) and Ross Molloy (Fianna Fail), two of the partys' youngest activists locally.
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44:33
Transition Year Series - Cathal Carroll (Knockbeg College)
The third episode in our Transition Year series where we hear from Knockbeg College student Cathal Carroll.Our Transition Year series is brought to you in association with People First Credit Union. People First Credit Union support young minds in shaping their future.People First believe in the power of community and the potential of youth. People First Credit Union – building a future of opportunity, one saver at a time.
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20:41
Our final General Election preview as Laois set to go to the polls on Friday
The finishing line is in sights. After months of speculation and weeks of canvassing, the country will go to the polls on Friday. And so, for one final time before it all happens, Steven Miller and Alan Hartnett sit down for a chat. In this Podcast we set the scene for the election where Laois is now a three-seat constituency.The lads explain when and where the voting is on, where the count will be and speculate as to when can we expect a result.They look at the likely turnout and explain how the quota is calculated plus what that actually means. We have 12 candidates and for one final time, Steven and Alan give one minute of a description for each of them.How might the whole controversy effect both Brian Stanley and Sinn Fein?Can Willie Aird hold the seat held by Charlie Flanagan?Can an Independent break through? Can a woman be elected for first time in history?We will know the answers to all of these questions by the end of the weekend.
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37:03
Charlie Flanagan interview
General Election campaigns by their nature are always about the candidates. On this occasion in Laois, it is also somewhat significant for who isn't running. Charlie Flanagan has contested every General Election since 1987 for Fine Gael - his father Oliver J was a TD prior to that since 1943. But Charlie announced his retirement ahead of this campaign, bringing to an end a local family political dynasty. He joined us to chat about his career, his memories, some of the big decisions across his time in the Dáil and what it's like now not to be running
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32:33
Week 3 of the General Election with the finish line now in sight
General Elections are marathons not sprints - but we are in the sprinting phase of things now. Four days away from polling, Alan Hartnett and Steven Miller sit down for the final time to discuss the latest goings on. Locally, both have them have been 'On The Canvass' and recall their encounters. Nationally, the latest polls have shown a slump for Fine Gael and the lads discuss what that might mean in Laois.
Ireland