Biography
Born: Galway.

Education:
- St Jarlath's College, Tuam, Co Galway
- St Patrick's Teachers Training College, Drumcondra, Dublin

Career:

• First elected to Dail Eireann in 1987 and has been re-elected on five successive occasions.
• Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach with special responsibility for Arts, Culture, Women's Affairs and European Affairs 1992-93.
• He was Minister of State at the Department of Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs, with special responsibility for European Affairs and Overseas Development Aid, 1993-1994.
• He was spokesperson on Labour Affairs 1995-97.
• Appointed Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, with special responsibility for Labour Affairs, Consumer Rights and International Trade. 1997 - 2002
• Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with special responsibility for Overseas Development and Human Rights 2002 - 2004
• Currently: Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (with special responsibility as Government Chief Whip and for the Information Society) and at the Department of Defence.