Noel Grealish

Who is Noel Grealish?

Noel Grealish is an Irish independent politician and a Teachta Dála for the Galway West constituency. He is from the Gaeltacht region of Carnmore, near Galway city. He was formerly a Progressive Democrats politician.

Grealish first contested an election in 1999, when he was elected to Galway County Council to represent the Oranmore electoral area with 1,357 first preferences. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 2002 general election with 2,735 first preferences, succeeding long-serving TD Bobby Molloy.

He was re-elected at the 2007 general election with 5,806 first preferences. As one of only two Progressive Democrat TDs elected in 2007, he was appointed as Chairman of the Progressive Democrats parliamentary party in June 2007. Grealish was Deputy Leader of the Progressive Democrats from 25 May 2007 to 24 March 2009 succeeding Liz O'Donnell in the position. Towards the end of 2007, Grealish stated that he had discussions with a senior Fianna Fáil politician about the possibility of him joining Fianna Fáil, but Grealish made the decision to stay with the Progressive Democrats.

Grealish assumed the leadership of the Progressive Democrats on 24 March 2009 following the decision of then leader Ciarán Cannon to stand aside and join Fine Gael. Grealish served as interim and final leader of the party until 20 November 2009, at which point the party disbanded.