Career
He was first elected to the Oireachtas in the 1993 election to the 20th Seanad by the Agricultural Panel, which also returned him to the 21st Seanad in 1997 and to the 22nd Seanad in 2002. In September 2002, Burke was elected as Leas-Chathaoirleach (Deputy Chairman) of the Seanad, and after his re-election in 2007 to the 23rd Seanad he was re-elected as Leas Cathaoirleach. He was elected as the Cathaoirleach of the 24th Seanad on 25 May 2011.