Noel Whelan is the author or co-author of a number of previous books on Irish politics, elections and electoral law, including the series of Tallyman's Guides to Irish Elections. He writes a weekly political column for the Irish Times and is a regular contributor on politics and current affairs for the broadcast media. He holds an MA degree in History and a BA degree in History and Politics from University College Dublin, as well as a Barrister at Law degree from King's Inns. He worked previously as a Political Organiser at Fianna Fáil Headquarters and then as Adviser to the Minister of State for European Affairs at the Departments of An Taoiseach and Foreign Affairs. He works currently as a barrister on the Dublin and South Eastern Circuits.