Brendan Daly (born February 1940), is an Irish politician. He was elected as a Fianna Fáil TD in 1973 and held his seat until 1992. He regained it in 1997. He has served as Minister for Fisheries & Forestry (1982), Minister for the Marine (1987-1989) and Minister for Social Welfare (1991-1992).

Brendan Daly was born in February 1940 in Cooraclare, County Clare. He was educated locally at CBS Kilrush. His political career began in 1973 when he was elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fianna Fáil TD, taking over in Eamon de Valera's and Dr. Patrick Hillery's old constituency. he was a strong supporter of Charles Haughey during his period as Fianna Fáil leader. In 1980 Daly became Minister of State at the Department of Labour. In 1982 he joined the Cabinet as Minister for Fisheries & Forestry. When Fianna Fáil returned to power in 1987 he once again became a minister, this time as Minister for the Marine.

Daly lost his Cabinet seat when Fianna Fáil entered into coalition with the Progressive Democrats in 1989. He returned to the Cabinet in February 1991 when he became Minister for Defence. In November Albert Reynolds and Pádraig Flynn were sacked from the government and Daly was appointed Minister for Social Welfare. His time in Cabinet was short-lived beacuse he was one of eight ministers who was sacked when Reynolds became Taoiseach in February 1992. Daly lost his Dáil seat in the election that year, however, he did secure election to Seanad Éireann. He was re-elected to Dáil Éireann again in 1997.

Cabinet Positions