After leaving university, he worked for Ulster Ceramics, and then as a shop assistant, until his election to Derry City Council in 2005.

[4] Durkan was elected to Derry City Council in 2005 topping the poll with 2369 first preference votes.

[6] After his election to the Assembly in May 2011 he served as his party's health spokesman from May 2011 to April 2012, and campaigned on the outbreak in January 2012 of pseudomonas at both Royal Jubilee Maternity Services (Belfast) and Altnagelvin Area Hospital (Derry), which claimed the lives of several infants.

[7] It was on the NI Assembly's Social Development Committee from May 2011 to July 2013 where he really came to the fore working tirelessly and effectively on issues such as housing and to protect the most vulnerable in society from the negative impacts the Welfare Reform Bill.

[8] As Environment Minister Mark H. Durkan has proposed reforms to the NI Planning system in order to make it fairer, faster and more fit for purpose.