Durkan is a Fine Gael TD for Kildare North and is the party spokesperson on public expenditure and reform. He was previously a Minister of State for Social Welfare, Fine Gael chief whip, and has held a number of other portfolios. He was a member of Kildare County Council from 1976 until 1994.

I felt it was necessary to lend a hand insofar as any individual can to make a difference for those who may be challenged in various ways, whether by way of disability or other disadvantage. I have done this in the past and am confident that I can continue to make a difference.

House price inflation, which continues at a pace obviously driven by inadequate supply notwithstanding the progress made to date, nonetheless it is still the biggest issue affecting everybody in one way or another.

My first speaking time slot would be to raise housing with reference to affordability and availability in respect of local authority houses given the tendency to eliminate such applicants on the housing lists and force them into enormously high rents which they cannot afford and consequently cannot save to purchase their own home.