EM Ireland appoints Stephen O’Shea as new Deputy CEO
For immediate release
Dublin, 22 October 2020: EM Ireland has appointed Stephen O’Shea as its new Deputy CEO – Policy and Research.
EM Ireland CEO Noelle O Connell commented on the appointment, “We are delighted that Stephen is joining European Movement Ireland. At a crucial time for Irish – EU relations as the end of the Brexit transition period approaches, Stephen brings a wealth of experience to the team from a number of different areas. I look forward to working closely with Stephen as Deputy CEO as EM Ireland continues to grow and our work becomes more important than ever amid the final stages of Brexit negotiations and Europe-wide Covid-19 recovery plans.”
Stephen has worked at senior management levels in government, politics and financial services, specialising in public policy and communications. As Special Adviser to the former Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, he was centrally involved in progressing policy issues related to the Justice and Home Affairs Council. He worked as chief speechwriter and spokesperson for the Tánaiste and led the development of policy, legislation and strategy related to her agenda. Prior to this he worked as Head of Press and Communications with Fine Gael.
Stephen served as Special Adviser to the former Minister for European Affairs before and during Ireland’s 2013 Presidency of the Council of the EU, through which he played a key role in policy planning and coordination, particularly with regard to the General Affairs Council and enlargement agendas. He was intensively involved in progressing the policy priorities of the Irish presidency within the EU institutions.
A journalism graduate, Stephen started his career in RTÉ as a presenter and journalist. Most recently, he worked as Head of Media Relations at AIB Group, through which he led communications across a diverse range of areas. He recently completed a Masters in European Studies, specialising in EU external relations, at the University of Leuven.
Stephen O’Shea commented, “It is an honour for me to be joining EM Ireland as Deputy CEO at this crucial time. Brexit is reaching its endgame, the Covid-19 pandemic requires an ongoing European response that will generate debate about the future direction of the EU and the policy implications arising from the European Green Deal will be felt in every corner of the Union. European Movement Ireland has always been at the forefront of such issues and I look forward to working with the team on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the best interests of Irish-EU relations.”
ENDS
Press Queries: Lisa Nic an Bhreithimh, Head of Communications, European Movement Ireland | 087 9503539 E: lisa@europeanmovement.ie
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Notes:
- Contact Lisa Nic an Bhreithimh, European Movement Ireland to arrange for interview/ comment;
- Tá cainteoirí Gaeilge ar fáil le hagallaimh a dhéanamh;
- About European Movement Ireland: Founded in 1954, European Movement (EM) Ireland is the longest established Irish NGO working on European affairs. An independent, not-for-profit, membership organisation, EM Ireland works to develop the connection between Ireland and the European Union. We facilitate links between all sectors of Irish society and the EU, through advocacy campaigns, education programmes, training courses, information briefings and networking events. For more information, visit europeanmovement.ie .