Seamus CLOSE

Political career:

> Elected to Lisburn Borough Council, 1973.

> Member of the Atkins Conference, 1980.

> Chair, Alliance Party, 1981-82.

> Assembly Member for South Antrim, 1982-1986.

> Deputy Leader, Alliance Party, 1991-2001.

> Member of Alliance Talks Team at Brooke-Mayhew Talks, 1991.

> Served as Lisburn Mayor, 1993.

> Member of the Dublin Forum for Peace and Reconciliation, 1994.

> Member of the Northern Ireland Forum for Political Dialogue, 1996-1998.

> Member of Alliance Talks Team at Castle Buildings Talks, 1996-98.

> Member of the New Northern Ireland Assembly for Lagan Valley since 1998.

> Awarded OBE in New Years Honours 1997.

> Spokesperson on Finance and Social Development.

> Member of Assembly Public Accounts Committee, 1998 - present.

> Member of Finance and Personnel Committee, 1998 - present.

> Runner-up in Lagan Valley in the last four Westminster elections.

Seamus Close has quickly earned a reputation in the Assembly as a fierce champion of the taxpayer, with his attacks on all forms of unaccountability and maladministration.

Seamus topped the poll in Lagan Valley in the 1998 Assembly elections and was runner-up in Lagan Valley's last two Westminster elections.

A well-known face in Northern Ireland politics, Seamus was nominated for Parliamentarian of the Year in 2001.

Married with three sons and one daughter.