Secretariat

Dr. Larry O’Connell is the Director of the National Economic and Social Council (NESC). As senior economist in NESC, since 2007, he worked on a range of policy areas including Ireland’s transition to low-carbon and digital future; housing and land; climate change and sustainable development; higher education funding; and Ireland’s five part crisis.

PA to Director,  paula.hennelly@nesc.ie  / 00353 1 8146332

Dr Anne-Marie McGauran’s work focuses on equality and social policy. She is currently on secondment to the Child Poverty and Well-being Programme Office in the Department of an Taoiseach.

Dr. Cathal FitzGerald is Senior Policy Analyst at NESC, specialising in economic policy and decision-making analysis.

Colette Bennett joined NESC as a Policy Analyst in 2025. Prior to this role, she was Director of Advocacy and Research with The Wheel, Ireland’s national association of community, voluntary, charity, and social enterprise organisations, and Economic and Social Analyst with Social Justice Ireland.

Dr. Damian Thomas joined the NESC in April 2010 having previously worked in the NCPP since 2002. Before joining the NCPP he worked as a Research Officer with the Association of Higher Civil and Public Servants (AHCPS).

Dr David Hallinan joined NESC as a Policy Analyst in 2023. His research interests include EU external trade policy, economic governance in the EU, the role of interest groups in shaping national and EU policy outcomes, socio-economic monitoring and evaluation, and the economics of disability and social care.

Gaye Malone joined the NESC in April 2010, having previously worked with the NCPP over an eight-year period. During this time, Gaye was PA to the Executive Chairman and Director.

Gemma O’Reilly joined NESC as a policy analyst in 2023. Her work focuses on climate change and sustainability issues.

Dr. Gráinne Collins joined the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) as a Policy Analyst in 2024, focusing on social policy. An economist by training, her expertise spans a wide range of areas including poverty, inclusion, integration, migration, equality budgeting, well-being, disability, LGBTI+ issues, attitudes towards diverse equality groups, and research concerning children and youth.

Dr. Jeanne Moore primarily works on sustainable development projects in NESC, most recently on environmental policy integration, community engagement in wind energy and the role and future of environmental data.

Niamh Garvey joined NESC as Senior Policy Analyst in March 2021, with a focus on sustainable development. Niamh currently works on the Agriculture and Climate Action project.

Noel Cahill is an economist in the NESC Secretariat. His research has covered Irish economic development and a wide range of public policy areas including macroeconomic policy, housing and taxation.