In the 1989 election to the European Parliament he was defeated in the Munster constituency, trailing far behind his Labour colleague, Eileen Desmond, who narrowly missed a seat. However, polling for the 1989 general election was held on the same day, and he was finally elected to the Dáil, taking his seat in the 26th Dáil on his third attempt.
In the 1989 European Parliament election, he was defeated in the Munster constituency, lagging far behind his Labour colleague Eileen Desmond, who narrowly missed a seat. However, polling for the 1989 general election took place on the same day, and he was finally elected to the Dáil, securing his seat in the 26th Dáil after three attempts.