She first entered the Dáil after successfully contesting a 1994 by-election as part of the Democratic Left. She failed to retain her seat in the 1997 election but ran successfully for the Labour Party in 2002 and has been a TD since. She is Minister for State at the Department of Health with special responsibility for primary care, mental health and disability.

Over the past 30 years I have have worked diligently on behalf of my all constituents and have ensured good representation for the people of Cork NC

To continue to build on the large increase of jobs in the Cork area

I believe priority must be given to signing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with a Disability in the first term of the new Dail.