From 1997 to 2007, Carey was a member of Clare County Council. He was elected to Dáil Éireann at the 2007 general election.[3] He was appointed Fine Gael Deputy Spokesperson on Justice, with special responsibility for Juvenile Justice in October 2007. In October 2010, he was appointed as assistant Fine Gael Chief Whip. He was a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection and the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly, where he served on the committee for European Affairs.[4] He has previously served as a member of the Dáil Committee on Procedures and Privileges and Fine Gael Spokesperson on Juvenile Justice and Deputy Government Chief Whip.