Simon Harris, the presumed future Taoiseach, has recruited a critical adviser from the Green Party to join his behind-the-scenes squad. Jack O’Donnell, a prior adviser to Pippa Hackett of the Green Party, is set to join Harris’ rapidly developing team following his likely election as Taoiseach next Tuesday.
O’Donnell formerly served as a specialist advisor to Eoghan Murphy during his tenure at the Department of Housing and had collaborated with Enda Kenny during his time as Taoiseach. O’Donnell will be joining a group of advisors that include Chris Donoghue, who until lately worked alongside Simon Coveney, Minister for Enterprise, and is expected to be nominated as Government press secretary.
Mr Coveney recently announced his decision against seeking reappointment to Mr Harris’ Cabinet next week, thereby opening up a complete other portfolio to be appointed alongside the one left open by the incoming Taoiseach. Harris was elected as Fine Gael leader last month after the unanticipated resignation of Leo Varadkar.
Sarah Bardon, a previous Irish Times journalist, and Joanne Lonergan, Harris’ ex-advisor in the Department of Health, are anticipated to be the most senior advisors to the Wicklow TD. Bardon has been associated with Harris since 2018, whereas Lonergan left politics temporarily for a position in a PR consultancy firm but is expected to make a comeback to the team.
Ciara Phelan, an Irish Examiner journalist, is projected to come on board as the deputy press secretary for the government, along with Clare Mungovan and Matt Lynch, who worked with Leo Varadkar and are expected to stay on. It’s also rumoured that Majella Fitzpatrick, another previous advisor to Mr Harris, is likely to re-join him.
Moreover, Harris is reportedly considering employing an economic advisor, possibly on a part-time basis equivalent to the role played by Prof Alan Ahearne in the Tánaiste’s office.