
Elected to the Dáil as a member of the Labour Party at the by-election held on 27th October 2011 consequent on the death of Deputy Brian Joseph Lenihan. Introduced to the Ceann Comhairle in the Dáil on Wednesday 2 November 2011. Lost the Labour Party Whip on 6 December 2011 and became an independent TD. Resigned his Dáil seat on 24 March 2014.