As Minister for Health Social Services and Public Safety in the Northern Ireland Executive, Michael is responsible for over 70,000 professionals working in health and social care, ambulance and the fire service and has an annual budget of approximately £4 billion pounds. He took up office on 8 May 2007, and  is currently taking forward a major reform and modernisation programme which has already reduced 19 health trusts to six (including the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service).  He recently announced further proposals, which are currently out for consultation, including plans for a new public health agency and a new regional health and social care board.  Over the last year, he has also announced a further transformation in hospital waiting times, and in other services such as access to cancer treatment and ambulance response times.

Other announcements made include confirmation of the new southwest hospitals in Enniskillen and Omagh, the creation of a board of experts for mental health and learning disability, a new regional suicide prevention helpline and his desire to see much more investment being made in the Health Service going forward.

Michael was born in Donaghadee, County Down on 1 July 1948. An old boy of Regent House, Newtownards, Michael graduated from Trinity College Dublin.

A businessman by profession Michael has had interests in building, hotels and the hospitality industry for many years.

Having been elected as an Ulster Unionist Councillor in 1993 to represent the Laganbank ward on Belfast City Council, Michael was elected to the new Northern Ireland Assembly in 1998.

Upon devolution of power from Westminster in 1999, Michael was appointed to serve as Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure in the first Northern Ireland Executive.

Michael is married to Maureen and has a son and a daughter. He enjoys spending time with his family, is a keen gardener and enjoys travelling, walking, reading and watching sport.