Thomasina Connell

“Thomasina Connell is a Solicitor and a native of Ballybrittas.  She was educated at Scoil Mhuire, Portarlington, UCD and the Law Society of Ireland. She has served on the Criminal Law Committee for the Dublin Solicitors Bar Association and was Editor of the Criminal Law sector of the Parchment Magazine. She previously worked for the Northern Ireland Bureau in Washington D.C.  A supporter and volunteer in the Charity sector for many years, she has also been active in the Dunamase and Cill Dara Riding Clubs, Foróige and is a supporter of Courtwood GAA Club.

“I have been actively involved within Fine Gael in Laois for several years and am proud and honoured to be a General Election candidate for the party,” Ms. Connell stated.
“As a young person with a fresh perspective, I have direct personal experience of many of the core concerns of the people of our constituency:
 
Agriculture: As someone who grew up within a tight knit farming community where my family have lived for generations, I understand the issues that are affecting the livelihoods of farmers and their families, including the potential challenges that we face in protecting our rural environment.

Crime: As a solicitor with extensive experience in dealing with a wide variety of criminal legal cases, particularly in the area of crime, I understand the causes and negative effects of criminality, particularly in rural communities. I will tackle this issue head on.

Jobs: More job opportunities need to be created, and spread countrywide. Huge strides have already been made, with almost 136,000 people back to work, however this cannot be taken for granted and we need to ensure that stability and recovery are maintained. It is important that the people of Laois are not forgotten and can share in this growth. It is essential that more job opportunities are created in Laois so that local people can live and work in their own community.

Working parents – I support affordable, tax deductible childcare, including after-school care. Parents deserve both extended and shared maternity/paternity leave to care for a newborn – I will strive to achieve this.

Easing burden on families – For more than seven years, it has been the hard working families in our society who have carried the burden through an unprecedented economic crisis. I will fight to ensure these burdens are lifted.

Our senior citizens – I believe we need to work towards increasing access to healthcare, providing better services and financial security for our senior citizens living within our communities. Ensuring seniors can live safely while allowing them to live with dignity in later life is a key responsibility for all of us – I will champion this cause.

I am proud to represent a party that encourages change, equality and empowerment of those who genuinely want to make a difference within their local communities.  There has never been a female TD from Laois and I am honoured to have the chance to be our first, representing the views of all of my constituents within Dáil Éireann.