20 Facts About Darragh O'Brien

Darragh O'Brien was born on 8 July 1974 and is an Irish Fianna Fail politician who has served as Minister for Transport and Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy since January 2025.

Darragh O'Brien has been a Teachta Dala for the Dublin Fingal East constituency since the 2024 general election.

Darragh O'Brien represented the Dublin Fingal constituency from 2016 to 2024, and the Dublin North constituency from 2007 to 2011.

Darragh O'Brien previously served as Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage from 2020 to 2025 and a Senator for the Labour Panel from 2011 to 2016.

Darragh O'Brien was born and raised in Malahide, County Dublin, where he is an active member of St Sylvesters GAA club, Malahide United FC and Malahide Rugby Club.

Darragh O'Brien's brother Eoghan O'Brien is a Fingal County Councillor, representing the Howth-Malahide local electoral area.

Darragh O'Brien was co-opted to a seat on Fingal County Council in March 2004.

Darragh O'Brien was then elected to Fingal County Council on his own right at the 2004 local elections.

Darragh O'Brien was first elected to Dail Eireann at the 2007 general election.

Darragh O'Brien was vice-chair of Public Accounts committee, Convenor on Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs during the 30th Dail.

Darragh O'Brien was a member of Select Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights.

Darragh O'Brien was appointed to the Fianna Fail frontbench as Spokesperson for Sport in January 2011.

Darragh O'Brien lost his seat in the 2011 general election.

Darragh O'Brien was nominated by the Taoiseach Brian Cowen to the 23rd Seanad on 4 March 2011 to fill a vacancy.

Darragh O'Brien was elected to the 24th Seanad on the Labour Panel in April 2011.

Darragh O'Brien was the Fianna Fail Seanad leader and spokesperson on Finance from 2011 to 2016.

Darragh O'Brien returned to the Dail at the 2016 general election, winning a seat in the new constituency of Dublin Fingal.

Darragh O'Brien was the Fianna Fail spokesperson on Housing, Planning and Local Government until his appointment as Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in June 2020.

In June 2023, Darragh O'Brien was appointed as Fianna Fail's director of European elections for the 2024 European Parliament elections.

At the 2024 general election, Darragh O'Brien was re-elected to the Dail for Dublin Fingal East.