Elected first to the Dáil in 1997, he has retained his seat in each subsequent general election. A former Minister of State for Small Business, he is a member of the Public Accounts Committee. He took a legal challenge against Fine Gael over the results of a selection convention when he wasn't added to the ticket for this general election. He was successfully added to the ticket following this challenge.

When you have a problem, I am the guy in the ring slugging it out with the bureaucracy so as to get you a solution.

To bring a large IDA backed project into the area and with it, a block of quality job opportunities.

Ensure that the economic recovery is protected and continues by ensuring that a new Fine Gael government takes power immediately.