MEP (Labour) for Dublin since 1994; Vice-President, Group of European Socialists party, Vice-President, Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

This Parliament's contribution? Employment. It was Parliament which convinced the Council to take it on as a priority

Own proudest achievement? I'm proud of my own position as vice-president in terms of the size of groups . . . and obviously I've had access at top level to setting the whole agenda for Parliament

Frustration? The communication gap - that people don't know the difference between the Commission, the Parliament and the Council. Poor reportage and the impression that we're all on the gravy train

Absences from sessions: 69

Motions for resolution: 17

Reports: One (plus two contributions)

Questions: 45

Debates: 97

Teacher's note: Hard-working, enthusiastic, known for energetic issuing of press releases. Holds vice-presidency of Socialist group by virtue of being the group's sole Irish member. As such, could have made greater impact