In April 2011, he was elected to the Dublin University constituency of Seanad Éireann but narrowly lost his seat in 2016.

He was one of the economists along with Colm McCarthy and Moore McDowell, nicknamed the Doheny & Nesbitt School of Economics, who were closely identified with the early policies of the Progressive Democrats.

He finished fourth at the 1997 election, behind the incumbent Senators David Norris, Mary Henry and Shane Ross.

[6] At the 2002 election, he finished fifth behind the same three incumbents and his fellow future Dublin University Senator, Ivana Bacik.

[9] He also tabled legislation with regard to Housing with the Mortgage Credit Bill 2012[10] and the National Mortgage and Housing Corporation Bill 2015, to ensure fair access to homeownership, address the accommodation shortage, and ensure the smooth operation of the property sector in Ireland.