Bernard Durkan TD was re-elected to Dáil Eireann on May 24, 2007. He is Chairperson of the Dáil Committee on European Affairs.

Deputy Durkan, formerly Fine Gael Front Bench Spokesperson for Communications & Natural Resources, is recognised for his constituency work and his contributions to Dail and Committee debates.  His outspoken exchanges with opponents have been well recorded, he is an experienced senior member of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party who has held various Spokesmanships over the years, including Health & Chief Whip. 

He was one of the two Deputy’s appointed by Party Leader, Enda Kenny, to undertake a review of the Party after the 2002 General Election, he has been a major contributor to countless Party Policy documents, culminating in the Fine Gael Alternative Energy Policy which has set out targets and objectives to meet International obligations and make a real contribution to the production of indigenous and sustainable energy.

Bernard Durkan has represented Kildare North since 1997 and prior to that represented the 5 seater Kildare Constituency.  He has served as a member of various Dail Committees including Public Accounts & Foreign Affairs, he is a former member and Chairman of Kildare County Council and the Eastern Health Board. 

In the past he has vigorously campaigned for the improvement and upgrading of facilities at all primary and second level schools throughout County Kildare, the extension of facilities at Naas Hospital and improved health services through primary care and the greater utilisation of local health centres.  He has taken a special interest in the educational and health requirements of children with special needs, improved commuter rail and bus services, housing, roads, crime, class sizes. 

His future objectives include:-

• A review of the bed accommodation at Naas hospital to take account of the increased population.
• The fast tracking of procedures for the provision of new schools as and when they are required. Reduction in pupil/teacher ratios in the classroom in line with Fine Gael policy.
• Increased Garda strength at all Garda Stations throughout Co. Kildare / increased opening hours of Stations .
• Increased frequency and capacity of the commuter rail and bus services throughout the County.
• Strategic plan for a viable agriculture sector.
• Easing access to the market for first time house buyers and the provision of adequate local authority housing.
• The retention of the post office services and the electronic upgrading of the maximum number of post offices.
• The adequate funding and maintenance of non-National roads.
• The provision of 100% broadband availability.
• The development of a well structured and funding alternative energy sector.

"They set out to improve democracy by introducing Electronic Voting – bought and paid for an electronic voting system, a cost of almost €60 million to the taxpayer and are now no doubt waiting for the day to shock the people even further, by suggesting an alternative use.”

“This is only a small flavour of what they said and what they did.  But surely the prize must go to their efforts in the housing area, since the maximum loan available through the Local Authorities for first time home buyers in Co. Kildare has been set at €185,000.  Needless to say, there are not many records of houses being sold at that price in the past 10 years!”