Born in Clare, June 1952 and married to Lily O'Keeffe. They have five sons.
Educated at St. Flannans College, Ennis, Co. Clare and Mary Immaculate College, Limerick.
Full time Public Representative, former Teacher.
First elected 1992.

• Minister for Defence (March 2010 -)
• Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, with special responsibility for Forestry, Fisheries and the Marine (April 2009 -March 2010)
• Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, with special responsibility for Forestry and Fisheries (April 2008-April 2009)
• Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (June 2007-May 2008)
• Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment - Minister for Labour Affairs (Nov 2004-June 2007)
• Chairman of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Science 2002 - 2004.
• Member Committee on Procedure and Privileges.
• Former Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Members' Interests in Dáil Éireann.
• Member of the British-Irish Parliamentary Body.
• Member of Clare County Council 1985 - 1997 (Chairman 1989 - 1991, Vice-Chairman 1987 - 89).
• Chairman Co. Clare VEC (1991 - 1994).
• Former National Chairman of Fianna Fáil Councillors Association. Former member of Management Boards of Killaloe and Shannon Community Schools and Limerick R.T.C.
• Founder member Shannon Status Committee and Chairman 1989 - 1991.