Fine Gael public representative 1974 to 2009.Member Wexford Corporation and Wexford County Council 1974 - 1995.Mayor of Wexford 1976 - 1977Member of Dail and Seanad Eireann from 1982 - 2002Minister of State Depts of Finance and Environment 1986 - 1987Minister of State Depts of Taoiseach, Dept of Finance and Dept of Transport, Energy and Communications 1995 - 1997.Front Bench spokespoerson on the Environment, Agriculture, Marine affairs and Finance (Seanad).Member of the European Parliament for Leinster/The East and leader of the Irish Delegation in the Group of the European People's Party and the Christian Democrats 1999 - 2009.Member of the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Affairs Committee 1999 - 2009.Member of the Agriculture Committee 1999 - 2004.Member of the Industry Research and Energy Committee 2004 - 2009.Author of the European Parliament's key legislation on Climate Change.Co founder of the Chic Shop, Wexford (1973).Sub-teacher in Maths and Science at the HCJ Convent, Killiney and Presentation School, Wexford.Chairman of Eventing Ireland 1998 - 2000.President Equestrian Federation of Ireland 2001 - 2005.Member of the Royal Dublin Society.Honorary Associate British Veterinary Association for legislative work done in the field of animal health, veterinary medicines and the food chain.Other interests include business, farming, bloodstock, travel and sports.