The UCC economics graduate had a short stint in banking before going to work in various roles with Labour. He grew up with politics as his late father Joe was an Oireachtas member for most of the last 25 years until his retirement last May. Sherlock indicated a decent taste in music recently on the Labour website blog: "My political consciousness was awoken by the AntiApartheid Movement and Amnesty International as well as through the music of Billy Bragg, Woody Guthrie, Christy Moore, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen."

He says: "I'm on a steep learning curve as a first-time TD. I'm hoping to perform to the best of my ability as spokesperson on agriculture and food. The Labour Party has to challenge the government, but we also have to give credit where it is due and then criticise when criticism is due."