Background and Education
I was born and raised in Johnstown, Naas and am the son of the late Tony & Patsy Lawlor.
I completed my primary education in Naas C.B.S. and second level education in Newbridge College.
I completed a Degree in Agriculture from UCD and gained a Higher Diploma in Education from NUI Maynooth.
Employment
My first job was in the Department of Agriculture in 1981.
I then spent two years overseas with Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) as a community worker in Vanuatu, an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean, from 1984 to 1986.
On my return, I worked as a substitute teacher in Maynooth.
I have also worked as a wool buyer with Texacloth Wool Merchants, Naas.
Since 1997 I worked as a full-time farmer.
Interests
Music: I enjoy listening to a wide range of music including Coldplay, Phil Collins and Vivaldi
Books: I find biographies very interesting and I enjoy reading crime/thriller novels such as Joe Nesbo
Hobbies: One of the things I enjoy doing most is cooking. I even grow my own vegetables! I also love to watch sport and support Leinster Rugby and of course the Kildare team!
I am a member of Kill G.A.A., Naas Rugby Club, Naas Golf Club and I.F.A.
Launching a Report on Casual Labour in Ireland that I authored in 2012.
Political Career
Due to the death of my mother, Patsy Lawlor, I was co-opted onto Kildare County Council in January 1998. I put my name forward for the Local Elections in 1999 and was re-elected, topping the poll for the Naas Electoral Area as an Independent Candidate.
I stepped down from the Council in 2004 and shortly afterwards joined Fine Gael.
In 2009, I was selected at the convention of the Naas Electoral Area as a candidate for Kildare County Council.
I was elected to Kildare County Council on June 5th and took up my seat shortly afterwards.
In February 2011 I was elected by the people of North Kildare to serve as TD in Dáil Éireann.
I am a member of the Oireachtas Joint Committee an Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.