Charlie McCreevy, born in 1949, is qualified as a chartered accountant. In 1977, he was first elected to Dáil Eireann (Irish Parliament) for the constituency where he was born - County Kildare, Ireland. He has resigned his seat to become a Member of the European Commission. Since 1992 he has held various cabinet posts in Fianna Fail-led governments including: Minister for Social welfare, Minister for Tourism and Trade and latterly (1997) Minister for Finance.