Mr Tom Parlon, the former Irish Farmers Association president says there must be a major shift in regional development policy.
In his maiden speech as a PD candidate, Mr Parlon said he wanted to see the midlands get a better share of the spoils of Ireland’s economic growth calling for greater emphasis on regional development.
"I want to see this area, the heartland of Ireland, get its fair share of industrial development. I want to see it get its fair share of new transpor infrastructure," he said.
The newly-recruited Progressive Democrat who will stand for the party in Laois-Offaly at the next general election said he has entered politics because he believes that despite the progress over the past number of years important work remains.
Mr Parlon paid tribute to the State’s politicians for their role in the sustained period of economic growth but expressed disappointment about the negative public perception of politicians.
"Democratically elected politicians have turned this country around in the last number of years. They have done so by taking the right options and making the right decisions," he said.
Speaking to the students of Birr Community College in Co Offaly this evening, Mr Parlon said he was confronting the challenge his new career presented with "confidence and excitement and hope".