He ran unsuccessfully locally and nationally on a number of occasions before being elected as a south Dublin county councillor in 1999. He was elected as a TD in 2002, lost his seat in 2007 and regained it in 2011. A long-standing Sinn Féin member, he is the party's spokesperson on foreign affairs, trade and defence.

For years I've worked against the enforced austerity my constituents have had to endure. I now want to continue that work in a SF government.

The number one priority for me, in government or opposition, is to contribute to resolving the worsening health and housing crisis.

Within 100 days of the election the one thing I would like to have done is to have brought a fair recovery to the lives of my constituents.