Brian Lenihan, Jnr

Minister of State (with special responsibility for Children)
Brian Lenihan Jnr, TD

In office
June 19, 2002 – present
Preceded by	Mary Hanafin
Born	May 21, 1959 Dublin, Ireland
Constituency	Dublin West
Political party	Fianna Fáil

See also his father, Brian Lenihan Snr

Brian Lenihan Jr. (born 21 May 1959) is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician and a Teachta Dála (TD) for Dublin West.

Brian Joseph Lenihan was born in Dublin on 21 May 1959. He was educated at Belvedere College, Trinity College Dublin, Cambridge University and King's Inns in Dublin. Lenihan received a degree in law, working as a Senior Counsel before becoming a law lecturer. He was elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fianna Fáil TD in an April 1996 by-election in the Dublin West constituency caused by the death of his father, Brian Lenihan Snr.

Lenihan has served as a member of a number of committees in Dáil Éireann, including the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution, which he chaired. Following the general election in 2002 Lenihan was appointed as Minister for Children (technically Minister of State with responsibility for Children at the Departments of Health & Children, Justice, Equality & Law Reform, and the Education & Science). Lenihan is seen as a skilled politician who is in line to join the Cabinet table at a later stage.

Lenihan is a member of a famed Irish political dynasty. His father was Brian Lenihan, a former Tánaiste and Cabinet Minister for over twenty-five years. His aunt is Mary O'Rourke, a Dáil deputy for twenty years and the current leader of Fianna Fáil in Seanad Éireann. Lenihan Jr. is a grandson of Patrick Lenihan, a Fianna Fáil TD between 1965 and 1970. Lenihan's brother, Conor Lenihan, is also a TD and junior minister.

Oireachtas
Preceded by: Brian Lenihan	Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for Dublin West 1996 – present	Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by: Mary Hanafin	Minister of State (with special responsibility for Children) 2002 – present	Incumbent