New economics adviser to Simon Harris revealed

Professor Kinsella is the head of the economics department at the University of Limerick. It said he will balance the new role “with his commitments to the university”, but take a break from journalism. Prof Kinsella has written for the Irish Independent in the past, and is now chief economics writer with The Currency.

A spokesperson for the Government told the Irish Independent: “Professor Stephen Kinsella will join the Taoiseach’s team as a part-time advisor on economics. His experience and expertise will be valuable assets.”

Prior to Simon Harris being elected as Taoiseach, it was reported that he was intent on appointing an economics adviser as part of his kitchen cabinet. Tanaiste Micheál Martin has been advised by Alan Ahearne, a professor of economics at the University of Galway, for the last four years.

When he was Taoiseach, Enda Kenny appointed Andrew McDowell as his special economics adviser, between March 2011 and 2016. His successor Leo Varadkar did not appoint one, but it has been said that Mr Harris saw the role as a “fundamental part of the team”.

Prof Kinsella, who has been with the University of Limerick for 17 years, is a former deputy chair and board member of the Higher Education Authority. He had the part-time position from 2014 to 2017.

He is a member of the Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council, which gives advice to the Department of Enterprise. He has two PhDs in economics, one from NUI Galway and the second from the New School for Social Research in New York.

He has been chair of the Government’s economic evaluation service and was a member of the research sub-group of the Covid-19 expert advisory group.

Prof Kinsella’s appointment comes a day before the Summer Economic Statement, which will set out the parameters in which Finance Minister Jack Chambers must operate for Budget 2025.

He will join a sizeable inner circle of advisors working for the Taoiseach, which already includes Ciara Phelan, Sarah Bardon and Chris Donoghue, all former journalists, as well as Joanna Lonergan, Majella Fitzpatrick and Max Murphy.

Jack O’Donnell, who had been a special adviser to Green Party junior minister Pippa Hackett, switched parties and also joined the Taoiseach’s team.