Home: Coppingerstown near Ballinacurra just outside Midleton, Co Cork.

Status: Married with 4 sons

Occupation: Full-Time Public Representative

Political Career

First elected as a TD for Cork East Constituency in the general election in 1997. I have served as a TD for the area for the past sixteen years having been re-elected to Dail Eireann in 2002, 2007 & 2011.

Previously held various party spokespersons positions including Disability, Dail Reform and Social and Family Affairs, in addition to junior spokesperson positions in Finance, Agriculture and Education.

Currently chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality which has been dealing with a number of very important legislative areas including the proposed Mental Capacity Bill and proposed Personal Insolvency legislation. The Committee has also been examining criminal justice matters and mediation legislation, missing persons, penal reform and a range of equality and defence issues.

As a TD for Cork East my priorities for the area include:
• Youth & children’s facilities, education, childcare and school places
• Local infrastructure, transport and community and sports facilities
• Local enterprise and employment opportunities
• Agriculture and fishing industries

Other areas of special interest to me are:
• People with disabilities , older people and carers
• Political and local government reform

Education

I hold a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and Mathematical Science, Diplomas in Career Guidance and Educational Administration from UCC. Awarded a Teachers Certificate in Educational Wordwork in 1978. I was conferred with an Honours Masters Degree in Education by the National University of Ireland in 1996.

Other Information

Before I was elected to Dáil Eireann, I was a woodwork and technical drawing teacher and a career guidance counsellor in St. Colman’s Community College in Midleton. While at St. Colman’s I established the Home/School/Community Liaison Project.

In addition to being involved with the Midleton Youth Project, I am also a Director of the Midleton Youth Health Café Project and I would like to see more, better quality youth friendly facilities in East Cork.

Former Commissioned Officer in An Forsa Cosanta Aitiuil and a past member of Macra na Feirme.

Photos of local images used on this site were taken by Tom Tattan