Appointed Minister for Social Protection on 9th March 2011.

First elected to the Dáil in 1992 and again in 2002, 2007 and 2011. Elected Deputy Leader of the Labour Party in 2007. First woman to become finance spokesperson for a major party in Ireland. Minister of State in the Department of Foreign Affairs with responsibility for Development Cooperation and Overseas Aid from December 1994 to June 1997 Minister of State in the Department of Social Welfare from 14 January 1993 to 17 November 1994.

Personal Details
Born in Dublin. Chartered Accountant who trained and worked with Price Waterhouse in Dublin prior to becoming a Senior Lecturer in the Dublin Institute of Technology. Married to Pat Carroll; one daughter, Aoife.