Michael Harty qualified from Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin 1977. He self organised hospital training by four years in Dublin teaching hospitals. He entered General Practice in 1981 and started practice in Kilmihil, West Clare in 1984. Michael runs a single-handed rural practice and is a member of the ICGP, RCGP, IMO and NAGP.
He was a Council member of IMO 1989-1991 and chairman of Clare Faculty ICGP for 10 years till mid 2010.
Michael was a GP tutor in ICGP tutor network for five years and tutor to UL GEMS medical school for  five years.
He was elected to the 32nd Dail in February 2016, is chairman of the Joint Oireachtas Health Committee and member of the Future of Healthcare committee which produced the Sláintecare report.