By Dan Walsh
Enniscorthy-based TD, James Browne is the new Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The news is widely welcomed in the Wexford constituency and although the portfolio is one of the most challenging facing the new government, there is confidence in the new minister to make a significant impact.
The announcement was made today by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin on the first day of the 34th Dáil in Leinster House.
In a post on social media tonight, Minister Browne said; “It is a massive honour to be appointed Minister for Housing, Local Government & Heritage by Taoiseach Micheál Martin. There is no greater challenge in this country than housing and the need to increase supply for all our people. I will work night and day to do just that.”
A barrister by profession, Browne comes from a family of Fianna Fáil politicians. He is the only son of former TD John Browne and his grand-uncle Seán Browne was also a TD.
Minister Browne served on Enniscorthy Town Council from 2009 to 2014 and was a member of Wexford County Council from 2014-2016
He was selected to replace his father John, who was retiring from politics, as a Fianna Fáil candidate in the Wexford constituency and was elected to Dáil Éireann having received 13.7% of the vote in 2016.
In 2020, he was elected by the Coalition government led by Micheál Martin as Minister of State at the Department of Justice with responsibility for Law Reform.
He was assigned additional responsibility for civil justice and immigration from April to October 2021 during the maternity leave of Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee.
Minister Browne was returned to the Dáil in November 2024 General Election.
WexfordLocal.com 