In 2014, he was elected as leader of the Fianna Fáil group. In 2015, McAuliffe drafted the Moore Street Area Renewal and Development Bill 2015.[6] As chairperson of Enterprise and Economic Development, he jointly delivered the Dublin City Local Economic and Community Plan[7] and the policy Document Dublin A City of Villages.[8] He was chairperson of Dublin City Council's Enterprise and Economic Development Strategic Policy Committee.[9] and the Local Community Development Committee.
McAuliffe was selected to be the Fianna Fáil candidate for Dublin North-West at the 2016 general election.[11] McAuliffe was not elected, being the last candidate to be eliminated on the 9th count.[12] He unsuccessfully contested the 2016 election to Seanad Éireann.[3]