Former President of the Irish Farmers Association, IFA, Mr Tom Parlon has decided that he will run for a Dáil seat as a Progressive Democratic candidate in Laois-Offaly in the upcoming election.
The 49-year-old Offaly farmer announced his political intentions this afternoon saying he was "delighted to seek the nomination for candidacy on behalf of the Progressive Democrats."
It was widely expected that Mr Parlon would declare his intentions to run for a political party after he stood down from his position as IFA President although it was unclear until today if he would join the PD's or Fine Gael.
Mr Parlon said earlier this week that he would "not be chasing a backbench job." He made it clear that he wants a position of "real influence" when he goes into politics and that he would not settle for less.