He was first co-opted onto Cork County Council in 1987 and was elected to the Dáil in 1989. He lost his seat in the 2002 general election, but regained it in 2007 and retained it in 2011. A former chairperson of Cork County Council, he has also held many positions on the Fine Gael frontbench in the past.

I am an effective representative for my constituents in terms of local development and have represented the interests of people in Cork North-West.

Ensuring that the economic recovery reaches all of Cork North-West and to see through on the Government's infrastructural commitments.

See the current Government re-elected and the Taoiseach re-appointed so we can continue the work of restoring jobs and building the recovery.