ELECTION: Aird earns his stripes after a 45 year apprenticeship
Willie Aird raised high after being elected to Dáil Éireann
FROM town commissioner, town councillor, county councillor to TD, it’s taken 45-years for Fine Gael cllr Willie Aird to make it to the pinnacle of his political career at 9.15pm on Saturday 30 November 2024.
The 64-year-old Portlaoise native was elected on the fifth count with 9,616 votes exceeding the 9,570 quota to rapturous applause and cheers from his fellow party members in the election count centre in the Nano Nagle Sports complex.
Speaking with the ‘Laois Nationalist’ after being elected cllr Aird said: “45-years. It’s been a hard road, but it would have been a lot harder if it hadn’t of been for the people of Laois for what they did for me yesterday. It’s unbelievable.
“People in Laois came out from all corners to give me great support. I suppose they came out to support me because of my track record.
“It wasn’t the case of not me not trying to get elected to the Dáil. There was somebody in there (from Laois). If I went, down through the years, it would have ended up in sour grapes and I’m not into that sort of stuff. But, eventually my time came and I grabbed the opportunity with both hands and I’m here tonight. It’s all history.”
When asked had he his maiden speech written for when he first stands up to address in the Dáil he said: “ No I never count me chickens before their hatched. But I won’t be intimidated. How would I, after spending 45-years in Laois County Council. I came into the county council when I was very young and I can tell you I was dealing withy very, very seasoned councillors that could have been in place there for up to 40-years. It was ground hurling from day one. I won’t be fazed up there.”
He said: “It’s great to get an opportunity like this that the people have given me to go there. I’m looking forward to see what I can bring back for Laois because down through the years I would have been critical because I thought that we weren’t getting enough in Laois. Now is my opportunity. I’ll be able to tell the people if we’re not getting enough, why we’re not getting enough. But I don’t think that I’ll have to say that.”
