Avril Doyle is a Fine Gael MEP for the East Constituency and a member of the Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats (EPP-ED).

Avril is Head of Irish Delegation of the EPP-ED Group in Europe and is a Member of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, and the Committee on Industry, Reseach and Energy.

Born in Dublin in 1949, she was educated at Holy Child Convent, Killiney and at University College, Dublin where she received a Bachelors Degree in Science (Biochemistry).

In 1976 she became the first woman Mayor of Wexford. At her first attempt, she was elected to Dáil Eireann at the 1982 General Election. Avril's first senior political appointment at national level was in 1986 when Taoiseach, Dr. Garret FitzGerald, made her Minister of State with responsibility for Public Works and the Environment. In 1994, under the Rainbow Government, she was appointed Minister of State at the Departments of the Taoiseach, Finance and Transport, Energy and Communications. While in Government, she has responsibility for Strategic Management Initiative in the Public Service and chaired the Government's Great Famine Commemoration Committee and the 1798 Commemoration Committee.

Avril served as a Senator from 1989 to 1992 and again from 1997 to 2002, when she did not seek re-election, deciding instead to focus entirely on European politics. In June 1999 she was first elected to the European Parliament to represent the constitueny of Leinster and in June 2004 was re-elected to represent the newly named East constituency.

Avril Doyle's extensive political experience has deep roots in her own family history, going back to the foundation of the State. Her father, Dr. Dick Belton, was a member of Oireachtas Eireann as was her grandfather, Paddy Belton, who was also Lord Mayor of Dublin. Two of Mrs. Doyle's uncles, Jack and Paddy Belton, were also Lord Mayors of Dublin and members of the Oireachtas. Two cousins of hers, Luke and Louis Belton, have also been members of the Oireachtas.

As regards family matters, Avril Belton married Fred Doyle in December 1971 and settled in Wexford where they have raised three daughters, Christina, Liz and Kate. Avril has a keen interest in a wide range of sports, but is perhaps best known for her active interest in equestrian sports. She is currently President of the Equestrian Federation of Ireland and former chairperson of Eventing Ireland (Irish Horse Trials Ltd.).

For more information please visit www.avrildoyle.ie

Avril can be contacted at: