Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)

Thomas Byrne was elected in 2007 for the then new constituency of Meath East. He is married to Ann, a former Seneschalstown and Meath ladies' footballer, and is a father of three children under three. He studied at Trinity College, Dublin, and is a qualified solicitor in Ireland and an attorney-at-law in New York state. He gave up his law practice to work as a full-time public representative. He was a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committees on Social and Family Affairs, Justice and Defence, European Affairs and Finance. As cathaoirleach of Ógra Fianna Fáil and the youngest Fianna Fáil TD himself, he has been involved in the promotion of youth issues. The issue of mortgage indebtedness of young couples in Meath East is one of his major concerns and he co-wrote a report which paved the way for the revised Code of Conduct for Mortgage Lenders. Priorities for Meath East include sourcing sustainable local jobs through supporting businesses and employers, protecting services at Navan Hospital and delivering even greater investment in educational facilities in the constituency. He also wants to see political parties in the new Dáil working more closely together.