Minister for Diaspora Affairs Jimmy Deenihan TD was appointed to this role on July 11, 2014. Prior to that he served as Minister for Arts, Heritage & Gaeltacht Affairs.
Minister Deenihan has continuously served in Dáil Éireann since first being elected in 1987. Prior to that, from 1982- 1987, he was a Taoiseach’s nominee to Seanad Éireann.
A member of the Gaelic Athletic Association, Minister Deenihan won All-Ireland football medals with Kerry in 1975, 1978, 1979, 1980 and in 1981, the year he captained the team. He received a GAA All-Star Award in 1981.
