Helen McEntee (Fine Gael)
Helen McEntee (29) has been a Fine Gael TD for Meath East since 2013. Raised on the family farm in Castletown, she lives in Slane.
Before being elected to represent the people of Meath, she worked in the Department of Agriculture and previously for a subsidiary of Citibank. Deputy McEntee is a DCU graduate in Economics, Politics & Law. She attended Heronstown NS, Lobinstown, and St Joseph’s Mercy Secondary School in Navan.
She says she speaks up in Dáil debates for her generation, who “have borne the brunt of a recession that we didn’t cause”. Her achievements since becoming a TD in 2013 include the Pyrite Resolution Act, which provides a €35m fund for homes affected by pyrite. She has delivered significant funding for schools and for community and local sporting organisations and secured funding for the Slane bypass. She also campaigned successfully for a 'yes’ vote in the Marriage Equality Referendum. Her priorities for Meath include improving broadband/mobile connectivity and increased funding for rural roads. She works closely with farmers and food producers and is an advocate for local hospitals and children with special needs.