Kieran MCCARTHY

Political career:

> Ards Councillor, 1985-present.

> Alliance Assembly Member for Strangford, 1998-present.

> Alliance Party Chief Whip.

> Alliance Spokesperson on Health and Social Services, and on Culture, Arts and Leisure.

> Chair of the multi-party Assembly Committee on Older People, working to ensure the needs of the eldery are kept high on the political agenda.

> Led the campaign to end age discrimination and for free nursing and personal care for the elderly, and for free passage for senior citizens on the Strangford Ferry.

> Appointed Justice of the Peace 1990.

> Member of the Northern Ireland Forum for Political Dialogue 1996.

> Member of Alliance Talks Team at Castle Buildings Talks 1996-98.

A member of the Assembly's Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee, Kieran McCarthy has worked for the introduction of measures to eradicate sectarianism in sport.

Mr McCarthy is also Chair of the multi-party Assembly Committee on Older People, where he has worked to ensure that the needs of the elderly are kept high on the political agenda. He has led the campaign to end age discrimination and for free nursing and personal care for the elderly.

Planning issues are important to Kieran, who is working to ensure a balance struck between the need for new housing in the Strangford constituency, quality infrastructure and environmental protection of the countryside.

Biographical details:

> Born in Kircubbin, Co. Down.

> Married with two sons and two daughters.

> Employment: Former draper.