Liam Hyland

Who is Liam Hyland?

Liam Hyland is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician who was an elected representative for over 25 years, as a Senator, Teachta Dála and Member of the European Parliament.

Born in Ballacolla, County Laois, Hyland first stood for election to Dáil Éireann at the 1977 general election for Laois–Offaly, when Fianna Fáil secured three out of the five seats. However, the party had ambitiously fielded four candidates and Hyland was the only one not returned to the 21st Dáil. However, he successfully stood for election to the 14th Seanad, being returned by the Industrial and Commercial Panel.

Paddy Lalor, one of the three Fianna Fáil TDs for Laois–Offaly, did not contest the 1981 general election. Fianna Fáil again put forward four candidates, but this time Hyland was the first of three to be elected, taking his seat in the 22nd Dáil. He was re-elected at the five subsequent general elections, of February 1982, November 1982, 1987, 1989 and 1992.

In his six terms in Dáil Éireann, Hyland achieved ministerial office only briefly. In the Fianna Fáil–Labour Party coalition government of Taoiseach Albert Reynolds, he was Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food from February 1992 to January 1993, serving under Joe Walsh.