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 he has recently taken health and social care through a further stage of the reform and modernisation programme.

The reform of health and social care has seen 19 health trusts reduce to six (including the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service). The Minister has also introduced further streamlining of the structure to include the establishment of the new Health and Social Care Board, the Public Health Agency, the Patient and Client Council and the Business Services Organisation to replace a number of existing organisations.

The new structures reflect the Ministers desire to drive up the efficiency and effectiveness of health and social care.  The Minister has also put public health at the centre of health and social care, to provide a renewed focus on engaging people in their own health as well as looking after those who are ill.

Michael was born in Donaghadee, County Down. 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.

He enjoys spending time with his family, is a keen gardener and enjoys travelling, walking, reading and watching sport.