Cathal is a Teachta Dála (TD) in the Irish Parliament (Oireachtas) and a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health. He also sits on committees relating to transport and education, having spent 16 years working as a teacher prior to his election to national politics.
Cathal was first elected to local politics at the age of 21 and following 16 years of working at a local level, was elected to his seat in the national parliament in the 2020 General Election.
Since taking up his seat in parliament, Cathal has worked with a number of health-related groups, from groups working on Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, to mental health groups and also leading cancer activists and advocates.