accession to the European Union. In 2004, he became Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. He retained his seat at the 2007 general election, but on the formation of the new government, was the only member of the previous Cabinet to be demoted, being re-appointed as Minister of State for European Affairs. His last act as Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government was the signing of an order that was to lead to work being resumed on the controversial M3 motorway near the Hill of Tara. He remained Minister of State for European Affairs, during which Ireland conducted two referendums on the Treaty of Lisbon. 2011 election defeat He lost his seat at the 2011 general election, polling only 5.5% of the vote which was down from the 15.8% he polled four years previously. Roche prolonged the count by requesting a recount when it was found that only three votes separated him and his Fianna Fáil running mate Pat Fitzgerald, an action which was criticised by some other candidates including Fitzgerald, who also accepted that there wouldn't be a seat for Fianna Fáil. He was not present at the announcement of his elimination which was greeted by cheering and applause from a number of people at the count centre. References 1947 births Living people Alumni of University College Dublin Fianna Fáil TDs Local councillors in County Wicklow Members of the 25th Dáil Members of the 26th Dáil Members of the 19th Seanad Members of the 20th Seanad Members of the 28th Dáil Members of the 29th Dáil Members of the 30th Dáil Ministers for the Environment (Ireland) Ministers of State of the 28th Dáil Ministers of State of the 29th Dáil Ministers of State of the 30th Dáil Politicians from County Wexford Recipients of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana, 1st Class Nominated members of Seanad Éireann Fianna Fáil senators