Studies, St Patrick's College, Dublin. Formerly, National School Teacher; 1982-87, Member of Seanad Eireann (Irish Senate). Since 1987, Member of Dáil Eireann (Irish House of Parliament) for Wexford Constituency; 1993-94, Minister for Health; 1994-97, Minister for the Environment; 2007, elected Leas-Cheann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann (Deputy Speaker of the Irish House of Parliament); since 2011, Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform; Labour Party Spokesperson on European Affairs, Constitutional Matters and Law Reform, and Human Rights. Former Party Spokesperson on Justice; Former Deputy Leader of the Labour Party; Former Member of the Oireachtas Commission (the body that under law provided for the running and administration of the Houses of Parliament). Member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Women's Rights. One of six Vice-Presidents of the Executive Committee, The Association of European Parliamentarians for Africa (AWEPA).