BA, HdipEd, St Patrick's Teacher Training College, Dublin University College, Dublin. 1981, first elected to the Dáil Éireann (Irish Parliament); 1982-86, Minister for Justice; 1986-87, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Trade, then Minister for Energy; 1994-97, Minister for Health; 1997-2001, Fine Gael Front Bench Spokesperson on Finance; February 2001-May 2002, Leader, Fine Gael; July 2010, Finance Spokesperson, Fine Gael; 2002 and 2011, re-elected to Dáil Éireann; 2004-07, Member, Fine Gael Front Bench and Party Spokesperson on Northern Ireland; March 2011, appointed Minister of Finance.