He was elected as a Labour Party councillor for the Artane area in 1991.

[2][3] He resigned from the Labour Party in 2013 because of concerns about the government budget.

[1] Bourke has been reappointed to the Commissioners of Irish Lights having been first appointed in 2007, and again in 2009–2014.

He is chairperson of the City of Dublin Education Training Board and a member of the governing body of DIT.

He also serves as a member of the Midland and Eastern Regional Assembly and is a reserved member of the Education and Training Boards Ireland.,[5] chairing the Board of Colaiste Dhulaigh College of Further Education and Marino College.