Formerly a bank official, he has been a TD since 1997 and was the parliamentary leader of Sinn Féin from 1997 to 2011. He is currently the Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Health. A long-standing republican, he was director of elections in the Anti H-Block campaign of 1981 and was first elected to Monaghan County Council in 1985.

My years of proven service and commitment to the people of Cavan & Monaghan and to a quality public health service equally accessible to all.

Helping create and sustain jobs across counties Cavan and Monaghan, giving our young people a secure future at home.

Launch programme of measures leading to universal healthcare for all on the basis of need and need alone. Healthcare is my national priority.