ELECTION 2020
1. Born in Macroom and educated at St. Colman’s College, Fermoy, De La Salle College, Macroom, at University College Cork and the College of Commerce, Rathmines. A member of Cork County Council from 1987 until 2007. I was elected chairman from 2005 to 2006.
I was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1989 general election and retained his seat until 2002.
I was chairman of the Dáil Small Business and Services Committee from 1995–97. He was party spokesperson on Education, Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (1994), Health (1989–93) and Youth and Sport (1993–94). After regaining his Dáil seat at the 2007 general election, he was party spokesperson on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (2007–10). Reelected in 2011/2016.
I was appointed Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on May 6, 2016.
2. I have considerable political experience being on Cork County Council since 1985 and I’ve accumulated extraordinary experiences along the way, most recently in my capacity as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine at the Cabinet table. Chairing the European Peoples’ Party group of Agriculture ministers. Ultimately the voters will determine who is entitled to be a TD, there is no set criteria for qualification to be a TD but I think my experience over the years is a significant advantage.
I think I have both the energy and the experience to be an effective representative in this constituency.
3. I’m very conscious that whatever the issues that affect the electorate out there, one that is fundamental to be able deal with them is to have the financial resources. Therefore prudent management of the public finances giving us the resources to invest in infrastructure, education, health, housing, water, sewerage schemes, they’re all essential. Also in a constituency like this, farming is vital, so we need to invest in that sector. Employment, regional balance are government priorities too.
4. Fine Gael is the best party to deliver. Our track record from our years in government speaks for itself. We took over an economy that had tankedwith over 300,000 unemployed. Now we have a budget surplus and full employment. Critically we now have the capacity to invest in critical issues. 1. I was educated at Laharn National School and Davis College, Mallow.
I have been a public representative since 2009, when I was first elected to Cork County Council. I was re-elected to Cork County Council in 2014 and 2019. I served as the Mayor of the County of Cork in 2015-16. I currently serve as the Leader of Fine Gael in Cork County Council.
I have also worked for a number of years with the Health Service Executive, and currently work part-time within the mental health services.
In 2005, I spent four months volunteering in Ecuador in South America, where I taught English to schoolchildren living in disadvantaged areas
2. I believe that the attribute that makes a person most qualified to serve as a public representative is simply an honest determination to improve the area in which they represent. In my early 20s I became involved in the ‘Save Lombardstown Post Office Action Committee’. After a four-year long battle with An Post and then the government, our local Post Office was saved, as were many others around the country.
3. Ensuring that essential roads infrastructure projects, such as the M20 and the Charleville and Mallow Relief Roads, are realised; Supporting the continued development of our agriculture and agri-food industry, the lifeblood across rural Ireland and much of Cork North West; Continued provision of social and affordable housing in our towns and villages; Enhancing our health services including facilities for older people, affordable childcare and the provision of a new elective hospital for Cork; Ensuring that every household and business across Cork North West is able to access fibre broadband and realise its economic and social benefits;
Ensuring a responsible approach to climate action is central to all future government plans.
4. I believe that Fine Gael, led by Leo Varadkar and his deputy Simon Coveney, along with Helen McEntee and many others, has the best team to lead Ireland through the next crucial stage of the Brexit negotiations. 5. I have long been immersed in my local community through voluntary groups and organisations. These range from social and sporting groups to educational bodies.