Whither Laois and Offaly in 2009 Local Elections?

[apkavanagh]

Some key questions here so would be:
* If the Constituency Commission decides on two new three-seat Laois and Offaly constituencies - who will emerge as Enright and Flanagan's most likely running mates for FG, will Foley secure his position as Cowen's running mate for Offaly FF, can Stanley and SF further build the party in Laois so that he's a key challenger in 2011/12, will Labour make any breakthrough in either county so that they might also emerge as contenders here
* Can FF reclaim some of the losses made in 2004

[gaelpol]

If FF don't regain control of both Laois and Offaly councils this time out I will walk naked around Stradbally the day after the elections are decided...admittedly at some time around 4.30ish when there's no one around to see!

[daithimac]

I think that with Cowan in charge there will be a large increase in the vote in general in Laois/Offaly, also The Bertie scandals will entrench many voters in what is already a largely FF area to come out and vote in support of him. Sinn Fein should make gains in the Portlaoise area. The PDs should lose votes in portarlington/Emo as mitchell does not seem to have been much of a pressence over the past few years.

[aodh_rua]

Some key questions here so would be:
* If the Constituency Commission decides on two new three-seat Laois and Offaly constituencies - who will emerge as Enright and Flanagan's most likely running mates for FG, will Foley secure his position as Cowen's running mate for Offaly FF, can Stanley and SF further build the party in Laois so that he's a key challenger in 2011/12, will Labour make any breakthrough in either county so that they might also emerge as contenders here
* Can FF reclaim some of the losses made in 2004

I hear Foley will be stepping back with just the intention of holding his TC seat in Edenderry and not contesting the council or beyond.

[Effin Effer!!!]

Said I'd try to re-open this one considering the release of the Local Electoral Area Boundary Commission Report.

In relation to Offaly,

North Offaly (Edenderry Area) should be interesting - 6 seats now - personal opinion, Cllr's. Noel Bourke (F.F.), Ger Killally (F.F.) John Foran (F.G.) and addition to the area due transfer of Geashill Michael Fox (F.G.) to hold their seats. Stephen Mather (F.F.) to take a seat in the Bracknagh, Walsh Island, Clonbullogue, Portarlington rural area. Cllr. Eddie Fitzpatrick (F.G./P.D./Ind./????) to hold on in Portarlington Town. Cllr. Fergus McDonnell (P.D.) to lose out in the squash. Any Comments?

Also where does John Foley T.C. (F.F.) fit in now? He has to take a Council seat if he realistically wants to run for the Dail again - bear in mind he did give his word on many occasions to the County Councillors publically, that he would not make a stab at the County Council. Plus I hear theres' alot of disquite in the Cumann's up there over the way he conducted himself during and after the General Election.

Cllr. Peter Ormond a shoe in in Birr Area, only question is who's running with him and in Birr town? No-one obvious to me! Will they run Cllr. Michael Loughnane Jnr. T.C. (F.F.) with Willie Loughnane of Coolderry (F.F.) as a sweeper?

Major arguments ahead for Ferbane, Cllr's. Sinead Moylan-Ryan, Tom Feighery and Eamon Dooley (all F.F.) on the ticket, Can more than two Councillors realistically be elected in a four seater with two strong sitting Fine Geal Councillors already in the area?

Cllr. Barry Cowen (F.F.) safe here in Tullamore for obvious reasons!!! But can Cllr. Danny Owens (F.F.) hold on with his two base areas of Killoughy and Geashill transfered to Ferbane and Edenderry respectively? I think he can if he does a good canvass. Big question - can Fianna Fail with the right candidate take a third seat? Maybe Cllr's Sinead Dooley T.C. or Paddy Rowland T.C. (both F.F.) both in Tullamore Town could be in with a shot here?

Would love to hear your opinions on any of this, especially non-Fianna Fail views. Plus whats the suitation in Laois?