The seat had been long-held by Charlie Flanagan.
The Taoiseach is confident Fine Gael can retain its seat in Laois in the upcoming General Election.
The party's seat in the county had been held by former Justice Minister, Charlie Flanagan, for more than three decades, but he's announced the decision to step away from politics after this Dáil term.
Councillor Willie Aird was selected to contest the General Election for Fine Gael earlier this month.
And Taoiseach, Simon Harris, says he has full confidence in Mr. Aird's ability to retain that seat for the party:
New Jobs Announced For Midlands
Cancer Survivors Welcome ‘Right to Be Forgotten’ Mortgage Reform
Irish Cancer Society Calls For Support This Daffodil Day
Interactive Offaly Event Highlights Barriers Faced By Abuse Survivors
Lawyers Seek To Overturn Murder Conviction Over Midlands Shooting
Burglary Gang Breaks Into Midlands Shopping Centre
Laois TD Wants New Fire Station Fastracked
Midlands Housing Commencements Continue To Rise
Almost 39,000 Midlands Workers Auto-Enrolled In New Government Pension Scheme
RTB Figures Show Annual Increase Of Over 10% For New Tenancy Rates In Offaly
12 One Act Plays To Be Staged By Laois Arts Collective
No Indication Of Meningitis Outbreak In Ireland - HSE
Laois Library To Host 'Skills For Life' Event
Offaly Band To Headline Open-Air Concert
Reopening of HSE Civil Registration Office For Offaly Confirmed
Hottest Day Of The Year So Far
Midlands MEP Questions Commissioner On Hormone-Contaminated Brazilian Beef
IRHA Warn of Hauliers Blockade If Fuel Price Support Pleas Ignored
Louis Theroux 'Manosphere' Documentary Exposes Dark Behaviour -Esker House