Mary Upton was elected to Dáil Éireann in 1999 in the by-election following the death of her brother, Deputy Pat Upton.

She was successfully returned to Dáil Éireann by the people of Dublin South Central in the General Election of 2002 and 2007, increasing her first preference vote substantially.

Educated at Colaíste Mhuire, Ennis Co. Clare, University College Galway (M.SC) and University College Dublin (PHD).

Prior to election, lectured in Food Microbiology, UCD.

Appointed Labour Party Spokesperson on Agriculture and Food 2002-2007.

Labour Party Spokesperson Arts, Sport and Tourism 2007-to date.

Member of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Formerly Chair of National Council for Educational Awards (now HETAC), the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) and former President of the Institute of Food Science and Technology of Ireland.

Member of the Fatima Regeneration Board

Board’s of Management of Primary and Secondary Schools in Dublin South Central.

Joint Policing Forum of Dublin South Central

Cherry Orchard Community Council

Links Community Group

Is active on a number of local issues and has strong links with community groups in the Dublin South Central area.

Active on planning matters, in particular where developers seek to locate inappropriate high rise developments in residential areas.

Mary Upton is committed to ensuring that all constituents are appraised of their rights- whether social welfare, taxation, education, health services, childcare, sports and culture.