He was elected to the 18th Seanad in 1987 by the Industrial and Commercial Panel, and was returned to the Seanad in subsequent elections until he retired in 2007.
In September 2007, his name was published in the Revenue Commissioners' list of tax defaulters after he made a settlement of €2,032,714.00 (€657,750.20 unpaid tax; €1,374,963.80 interest and penalties)