MEP:

Following the re-election of Simon Coveney to Dáil Éíreann in 2007, I replaced him as Member of the European Parliament for Ireland South. I served until the 2009 European Elections.

During my time as an MEP, I was instrumental in securing amendments to the European Globalisation Fund regulations when Dell and Waterford Wedgewood closed. This ensured that Limerick and Waterford received over €21 million in retraining grants.

I was deeply involved in developing new proposals on Cross Border Health Care, serving as the European People’s Party Rappateur on the issue. This led to the Cross Border Health Care Directive.

While an MEP I visited, on my own initiative, Chad and the Sudanese border area and prepared a report for the Foreign Affairs Committee prior to the deployment of Irish Troops.

In 2009, I visited Gaza four weeks after the bombardment by Israeli armed forces and prepared a report for the EPP Foreign Affairs Committee.

I served on the following committees:

• Committee on Foreign Affairs

- Subcommittee on Human Rights

• Delegation for Relations with the United States Delegation for Relations with Iran

• Committee on the Internal market and Consumer Protection

• Committee on Fisheries