1. Dara Calleary was born on 10 May 1973 and is an Irish Fianna Fail politician who has served as Minister for Social Protection and Minister for Rural, Community Development and the Gaeltacht since January 2025.
16 Facts About Dara Calleary
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Dara Calleary has been a Teachta Dala for the Mayo constituency since the 2007 general election.
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Dara Calleary previously served as Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation from 2022 to 2025, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine from July to August 2020, Deputy leader of Fianna Fail from 2018 to 2020 and Minister of State for Labour Affairs from 2009 to 2011.
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Dara Calleary was educated at St Oliver Plunkett National School and St Muredach's College.
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Dara Calleary previously worked with Chambers Ireland, the largest business organisation in Ireland, and worked in an Irish bank.
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Calleary is the son of Sean Calleary who was a TD for Mayo East from 1973 to 1992, and the grandson of Phelim Calleary who was a TD for Mayo North from 1952 to 1969.
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Dara Calleary has been a member of the Fianna Fail National Executive since 1997 and has served on party policy committees on Transport, Enterprise and Employment, Agriculture and Youth Affairs.
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Dara Calleary was first elected to the Dail at the 2007 general election.
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In 2007, Dara Calleary chaired the first ever Ogra Fianna Fail branch meeting in Northern Ireland, at Queen's University Belfast.
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In February 2008, Dara Calleary was appointed Chairman of Ogra Fianna Fail, by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, at the National Youth Conference in Tullamore, County Offaly.
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On 27 June 2020, at the formation of the new government, Dara Calleary was appointed by Taoiseach Micheal Martin as Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach with responsibility as Chief Whip.
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On 15 July 2020, following the sacking of Barry Cowen from the position, Dara Calleary was appointed as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine by Micheal Martin.
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On 20 August 2020, Dara Calleary was implicated in the Oireachtas Golf Society scandal when news broke that Dara Calleary and 81 others attended an Oireachtas Golf Society dinner the previous day, in apparent breach of Government COVID-19 guidelines.
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On 31 August 2022, following the resignation of Robert Troy, Dara Calleary was appointed as Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with special responsibility for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation.
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At the 2024 general election, Dara Calleary was re-elected to the Dail.
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On 23 January 2025, Dara Calleary was appointed as Minister for Social Protection and Minister for Rural, Community Development and the Gaeltacht in the government led by Micheal Martin.