Olivia Mitchell TD

I have been your Fine Gael TD in Dublin South since 1997 and have served as party spokesperson in key portfolios - Local Government; Health & Children; Transport; Arts Sports & Tourism and most recently spokesperson on Competition & Consumer Protection.

As a former teacher of economics, I have long been an advocate of greater competition and have been particularly active in campaigning for a more efficient transport system and increased bus competition. I believe that producers as well as consumers can benefit from the lower prices that greater competition can bring, reducing costs, protecting jobs and promoting export-led growth.

In the current crisis, the prime concern of Government must be the public good and not the vested interests of old. On an island country with a small domestic market there is a natural tendency for higher prices and uncompetitive situations to become established, so it behoves any Irish government to be ever vigilant in protecting consumers.

Political Career :

I  was first elected to Dáil Éireann  in 1997 and re-elected in 2002, 2007, 2011.I  received the highest vote of any female candidate in the 2011 General Election.

-Member of the Fine Gael Front Bench: 2001-2010 Served as party spokesperson on Local Development, the National Drugs Strategy and Dublin Traffic: 1997-2001 Housing & Local Government: 2001 Health & Children: 2002-2004 Transport: 2004–2007 Arts, Sport and Tourism: 2007-2010 Competition & Consumer Protection: 2010

-Dublin/Dun Laoghaire County Council Member: 1983-2003 and served as Chairperson from 1995–1996

Served on the following bodies at various times as a county councillor: Eastern Health Board, Dublin Regional Authority, Dublin Transport Initiative Advisory Committee, Dublin Healthy Cities Project, Joint Dublin county councils’ taxi advisory committee.

-AWEPA (Association of European Parliamentarians for Africa) Irish Section Long-time member and currently a member of the Irish AWEPA executive committee.

-Women’s All-Party Interest Group on Development and Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights Long-term member and newly-appointed Convenor of this group, which is also a member group of the European Parliamentary Forum (EPF) on Population and Development.

-World Health Organisation’s ‘Multi-City Action Plan’ Programme Dublin Representative on this project which sought to develop sustainable cities.

-Forum for Peace and Reconciliation Member of the Fine Gael delegation. Established to encourage dialogue among parliamentarians on the Northern Irish conflict: 1994-1996.

Personal  life :

I graduated with a B.A. in Economics & Politics and a HDip in Education from Trinity College Dublin. I taught Business Studies at St.Tiernan’s Community School and Economics Mount Anville Convent before I entered politics.

I am married with three grown up children, and I live in the Dundrum area.

Dublin South:

I represent the constituency of Dublin South. This comprises, but is not exclusive to, Clonskeagh, Windy Arbour, Dundrum, Milltown, Churchtown, Nutgrove, Ballinteer, Rathfarnham, Ballyroan, Knocklyon, Ballycullen, Firhouse, Stepaside, Glencullen, Sandyford, Leopardstown, Kilgobbin, Carrickmines, Kiltiernan, Cherrywood, Cabinteely, Foxrock, Stillorgan, Kilmacud, Mount Merrion.


Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill strikes the right balance – Mitchell

Fine Gael Dublin South TD, Olivia Mitchell, has today (Wednesday) welcomed the publication of the heads of the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill, saying it strikes the right balance between giving medical professionals certainty, while protecting the life of women and the unborn.

Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed)

Basically this is a technical Bill. I had not intended to speak on it but having heard the inexplicable response of the Opposition, I felt compelled to do so.

Parliamentary Question addressed to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the portion of pension resulting from the payment of AVCs will be subject to the proposed public sector pension reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Olivia Mitchell. * For WRITTEN answer on Wednesday, 1st May, 2013. Ref No: 20681/13 To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if, in the proposed pension reduction legislation, a pension above the threshold i e .€ €33,000, will be subject to the reduction on all of the pension or just on the portion in excess of the threshold €€32,500; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Olivia Mitchell.

Public Sector Pay and Conditions: Motion (Private Members)

After five years of budgetary adjustments, it is inevitable we all feel we have reached the end of our tether, that we have had enough and that we cannot take any more.

Croke Park 2 negotiations require realism - as €300 million savings must be achieved- Mitchell

Fine Gael TD for Dublin South, Olivia Mitchell has urged public sector unions to work constructively with the LRC in an effort to form an agreement on how savings of €300 million can be made on public sector pay and pensions. Deputy Mitchell was speaking during Private Members Business on the Croke Park 2 agreement.