ɪn ˈeɪpɹəl tˈuː θˈaʊzənd twˈɛlv hiː wʌz ᵻlˈɛktᵻd lˈiːdɚɹ ʌvðə lˈeɪbɚ ɡɹˈuːp ˌɔn dˈʌblɪn sˈɪɾi kˈaʊnsəl ænd ɪn sɛptˈɛmbɚ hiː wʌz ᵻlˈɛktᵻd kˈæθɚlˌiːtʃ ʌvðə sˈʌðɚn ænd ˈiːstɚn ɹˈiːdʒənəl ɐsˈɛmbli.
In April 2012 he was elected Leader of the Labour Group on Dublin City Council and in September he was elected Cathaoirleach of the Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly.