Brian O'Shea (politician)

Brian O'Shea
Minister of State
1994–1997	Health
1993–1994	Agriculture, Food and Forestry
Teachta Dála
In office June 1989–February 2011
Constituency	Waterford
Senator
In office 12 April 1987 – 30 June 1989
Constituency	Industrial and Commercial Panel
Personal details
Born	(1944-12-09)9 December 1944 Waterford,Ireland
Political party	Labour Party
Spouse	Eileen Walsh ​ (m.1978)​
Children	6
Alma mater	St Patrick's College, Dublin

Brian O'Shea(born 9 December 1944) is an Irish formerLabour Partypolitician who served asMinister of State at the Department of Healthfrom 1994 to 1997 andMinister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marinefrom 1993 to 1994. He served as aTeachta Dála(TD) for theWaterfordconstituency from 1989 to 2011.

O'Shea was born inWaterfordand educated atMount SionCBS,Waterford andSt Patrick's College, Dublin.He worked as a teacher before entering politics. He was elected toTramoreTown Council in 1979, and in 1985 was elected toWaterford City CouncilandWaterford County Council.He served on these local authorities until 1993.

He first stood for election toDáil Éireannat theFebruary 1982 general electionbut was unsuccessful. He stood again at theNovember 1982and1987general elections but was not elected on either occasion. O'Shea was elected toSeanad Éireannin 1987 as a Senator for theIndustrial and Commercial Panel.Two years later, at the1989 general electionhe was first elected to Dáil Éireann for theWaterfordconstituency.

In 1993, O'Shea was appointedMinister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Foodwith responsibility for Food and Horticulture. In 1994, he was appointedMinister of State at the Department of Healthwith responsibility for Mental Handicap, Public Health and Food Safety. He was party spokesperson for Defence (1997–1998); Education; Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands; Communications and Sport (1998–2002); Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (2002–2007); and Defence and theIrish language(2007–2011).

He retired from politics at the2011 general election.