Gallagher is Fianna Fáil's spokesperson for education in the Seanad. He is from County Donegal and served in An Garda Siochána for 10 years. He owns a business called Sherry Fitzgerald Gallagher Property Advisors in Monaghan, and was first elected to Monaghan Town Council in 1999.

To build on my eight years’ experience in Seanad Eireann and represent the people of the Cavan/Monaghan constituency in Government.

Housing is clearly the biggest issue, Fianna Fail in Government has built momentum through a wide range of policies over the last five years and progress with the LDA, the Planning Bill coupled with investment in training for construction skills and investment in vital infrastructure will enable us to build further on that momentum.

I would ask for an update on the work of officials in NCTE, the Department of Education and local schools on agreeing and developing the location of the special school for Monaghan, followed by queries on improvements in both timely assessments and appropriate interventions for children who need them.