Niall Collins is an Irish

Republic of Ireland

Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...

 Fianna Fáil

Fianna Fáil

Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...

 politician. He is currently a Teachta Dála

Teachta Dála

A Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...

 (TD) for the Limerick

Limerick (Dáil Éireann constituency)

Limerick is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 3 deputies...

 constituency. He previously served as member of Limerick County Council

Limerick County Council

Limerick County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Limerick in Ireland. The Council is responsible for housing and community, roads and transportation, urban planning and development, amenity and culture, and environment. The head of the council has the title of...

 for the Bruff Local Electoral Area. He was first elected to the council at the 2004 local elections. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann

Dáil Éireann

Dáil Éireann is the lower house, but principal chamber, of the Oireachtas , which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann . It is directly elected at least once in every five years under the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote...

 at the 2007 general election for the Limerick West constituency. He was elected on the 1st count and received the 9th highest vote in the country and the highest vote of any of the newcomers to the Dáil.

His grandfather James Collins

James Collins (Irish politician)

James Collins was an Irish politician. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fianna Fáil TD for Limerick West in the 1948 General Election and at each election until his death in 1967. He was succeeded in the by-election of November 1967 by his son Gerry Collins.Another son, Michael J....

 represented Limerick West in the Dáil from 1948 to 1967.