Personal Profile:

Tom Hayes is a native of Cahervillahow, Golden, County Tipperary.

He received his education at Mount Mellary College, Waterford, Tipperary Vocational School and University College Cork (graduating with a Diploma in Public Administration).

He is married to Marian – a secondary school teacher in Cashel Community School. Tom and Marian have three sons: Padraic, Ronan and Cathal.

Tom is a full-time public representative. As well as politics, his interests include GAA, horseracing, greyhound racing, rugby and traditional music.

Political Profile:

Tom began his career in politics when he was elected to Tipperary South Riding County Council in 1991.

In 1997 he became a member of Seanad Éireann and acted as Fine Gael Seanad spokesperson on Agriculture. In July 2001 Tom Hayes was elected to represent Tipperary South Riding in Dáil Éireann. He was subsequently appointed Fine Gael Deputy Spokesperson on Agriculture & Food.

Deputy Hayes was returned to the 29th Dáil in May 2002. He then served as the Fine Gael Deputy Spokesperson on the Environment, with Special Responsibility for Heritage and Rural Affairs.

Deputy Hayes was returned to the 30th Dáil in May 2007. He is the sole Opposition TD in the Tipperary South constituency. He is sitting on the Committee for the Constitution, the Committee for Procedures and Privileges, and the Oireachtas Commission.

Deputy Hayes has served as Chairperson of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party since September 2002; he was re-elected in this capacity from September 2007 until March 2010.