Flanagan elected as FG chair

Laois-Offaly TD Charlie Flanagan has been appointed as chairman of Fine Gael's parliamentary party.

Mr Flanagan, who was unanimously endorsed at a meeting of the Fine Gael parliamentary party this evening, was the sole candidate for the position. He replaces Pádraic McCormack who did not stand in the general election.

Wicklow TD Simon Harris was elected as party secretary.

Deputy Flanagan was first elected to the Dáil in 1987 and served as the Fine Gael front bench spokesperson on justice and, separately, on children during the last Dáil. He also served as party whip on two occasions and inherits the largest parliamentary party in the history of the Fine Gael party.

Deputy Flanagan's predecessor, Pádraic McCormack, announced his decision not to stand in the general election after failing to secure a nomination at the selection convention for his Galway West constituency last December. He was defeated by Senator Fidelma Healy Eames and Cllr Brian Walsh.

Senator Healy Eames failed to be elected to the Dáil in the subsequent election but was later elected to the Senate as a poll topper for the 11-seat Labour panel. Cllr Walsh was successful in his Dáil bid and was elected as TD for Galway West.

Speaking this evening, Deputy Flanagan said it was "essential" that a chairman "who can keep clear lines of communication open" is in place.

"Every TD and Senator has a clear mandate from their electorate and I am anxious to put mechanisms in place to ensure that the concerns and views of backbenchers and Senators are effectively communicated to Ministers”.

“Equally, the activities of Ministers must be clearly and promptly communicated to the Parliamentary Party members", he said.