[citation needed] Since leaving office, Carey came out as gay, and voiced support for the 2015 marriage equality referendum, saying "My only regret is that I didn't have the courage or confidence to [come out while in politics].

"[2] Carey entered local politics in 1985 when he was elected to Dublin City Council for the Finglas area.

He was elected as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála (TD) for the constituency of Dublin North-West at the 1997 general election, defeating the sitting Fine Gael TD Mary Flaherty to win a second seat for the Fianna Fáil in the 4-seater constituency.

[8][9] On 23 January 2011, Carey was also appointed as Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, following the resignation of Eamon Ryan.

[3] On 28 March 2011, the Sunday Independent reported that Carey had "appointed another party crony to a key State board on his final day in office".