Darragh O'Brien


Darragh O'Brien 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 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. During that time, he was Leader of Fianna Fáil in the Seanad.
His brother Eoghan O'Brien is a County Councillor on Fingal County Council, representing the Howth-Malahide electoral area.

Personal life

He was born and raised in Malahide, 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. 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.

Political career

He was co-opted to take a seat on Fingal County Council in March 2004. He was then elected to the council in June 2004.
O'Brien was elected to Dáil Éireann at the 2007 general election. 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.
He was nominated by the Taoiseach Brian Cowen to the 23rd Seanad on 3 March 2011. 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.