Paschal is the Fine Gael TD for Dublin Central and in June 2020 was re-appointed as the Minister for Finance for Ireland.

He was first appointed to that role in June 2017, at which point he also held the position of Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. This is the first time a Minister had held both of the finance portfolios.

He was elected as President of Eurogroup of Finance Ministers in July 2020.

Paschal was appointed as the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in May 2016. Prior to that he served, from July 2014-May 2016, as the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. Paschal has also held the position of Minister for European Affairs at the Department of An Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs from July 2013-July 2014.

He was elected as a TD in February 2011, where he topped the poll in Dublin Central. Prior to his election, he was a member of Seanad Éireann from 2007 to 2011. He served as member of Dublin City Council from 2004 to 2007.

Paschal was formerly the Chair of Ireland’s Future in Europe Oireachtas Sub-Committee, as well as a member of the Public Accounts Committee. He has also served as the Vice-Chair of the European Affairs Committee and, as a Senator, he served as a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport.

During his time as member of Dublin City Council, Paschal served as Chair of the Environment & Engineering Strategic Policy Committee, as a member of the Corporate Policy Group and also as Chairman of the Central Area Committee.

Paschal is a graduate of University of Dublin, Trinity College, with a degree in Politics and Economics and has attended St. Declan’s CBS, Cabra.