Gallagher was elected to the Seanad in 2016. He is the Fianna Fáil spokesperson for education. He previously worked for An Garda Síochána for a decade. He was elected to Monaghan County Council in 2004 and the town council in 1999. He is a native of Donegal and moved to Monaghan in 1999.

I will represent people to the best of my ability and work for a fairer country with better access to services for all our people. This election is an opportunity for change and a chance to tackle record waiting lists and respite care, among other issues.

Health issues including developing and extending local services, waiting lists, carers, respite and home help.

Ensure health issues are prioritised by tackling waiting lists through the NTPF, actually talking to GPs to fix the health system at community level, ensuring home help hours and respite and opening care facilities that are built but lying empty.