Darragh O'Brien
Darragh O'Brien (born 8 July 1974) is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who has served as Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage since June 2020. He has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dublin Fingal constituency since the 2016 general election, and previously from 2007 to 2011 for the Dublin North constituency. He previously served as a Senator for the Labour Panel from 2011 to 2016.[1]
Darragh O'Brien | |
|---|---|
_2020.jpg.webp) | |
| Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage | |
| Assumed office 27 June 2020 | |
| Taoiseach | Micheál Martin |
| Preceded by | Eoghan Murphy |
| Leader of Fianna Fáil in the Seanad | |
| In office 30 April 2011 – 26 February 2016 | |
| Leader | Micheál Martin |
| Preceded by | Donie Cassidy |
| Succeeded by | Catherine Ardagh |
| Teachta Dála | |
| Assumed office February 2016 | |
| Constituency | Dublin Fingal |
| In office May 2007 – February 2011 | |
| Constituency | Dublin North |
| Senator | |
| In office 24 April 2011 – 26 February 2016 | |
| Constituency | Labour Panel |
| In office 1 March 2011 – 24 April 2011 | |
| Constituency | Nominated by the Taoiseach |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 July 1974 Malahide, Dublin, Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Political party | Fianna Fáil |
| Spouse(s) | Susan Maxwell (m. 2007) |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Malahide Community School |
| Alma mater | Institute of Technology, Carlow |
| Website | darraghobrien |
His brother Eoghan O'Brien is a Fingal County Councillor, representing the Howth-Malahide local electoral area.
Personal life
He was born and raised in Malahide, County Dublin, where he is an active member of St. Sylvesters GAA club, Malahide United F.C. and Malahide Rugby Club. As a child, O'Brien attended Pope John Paul II National Catholic School and then Malahide Community School (Pobalscoil Íosa). He is one of six children.
Before entering politics, he worked in the Pensions sector with Friends First Assurance Company. He lives in Malahide with his wife and daughter.[2]
Political career
He was co-opted to a seat on Fingal County Council in March 2004. He was then elected to Fingal County Council on his own right following the 2004 local elections.
O'Brien was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 2007 general election.[3] He was Vice-Chair of Public Accounts committee, Convenor on Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs during the 30th Dáil. He was also a member of Select Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights.
O'Brien was appointed to the Fianna Fáil frontbench as Spokesperson for Sport in January 2011.
He lost his seat in the 2011 general election, being deemed not elected on the 7th and final count.[4]
He was nominated by the Taoiseach Brian Cowen to the 23rd Seanad on 3 March 2011.[5] He was elected to the 25th Seanad as a Senator for the Labour Panel in April 2011.
He was the Fianna Fáil Seanad leader and Spokesperson on Finance from 2011 to 2016.
He was the Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Housing, Planning and Local Government until his appointment as Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in June 2020.
As part of the coalition government of the 33rd Dáil, O'Brien was appointed Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage by Taoiseach Micheál Martin on 27 June 2020.
References
- "Darragh O'Brien". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
- "About Darragh". darraghobrien.ie. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
- "Darragh O'Brien". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
- "Dublin North Results". RTÉ News. 28 February 2011. Archived from the original on 28 February 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
- "47 candidates for University Seanad seats". RTÉ News. 3 March 2011.
External links
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Eoghan Murphy as Housing, Planning and Local Government |
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage 2020–present |
Incumbent |