Former Cork TD and former trade unionist join award-winning public relations firm

A former Cork East TD and a former trade unionist have embarked on a new venture, joining the team at a Dublin-based PR firm.

David Stanton, who is a former minister of state and TD for the Cork East constituency, and Bernard Harbor, a long-time leader in the trade union movement, have joined the team at communications agency Alice Public Relations.

Mr Stanton, a Midleton native, was first elected to the Dáil in 1997 and was re-elected at every subsequent general election until his retirement from politics in 2024.

He served as minister of state at the Department of Justice and Equality from 2016 to 2020, with special responsibility for equality, immigration, and integration.

During this time, he played a pivotal role in improving rights and living conditions for Irish Travellers.

Mr Harbor has previously served as the head of communications with the Fórsa trade union; was the director of communications and media for President Michael D Higgins’s 2018 re-election campaign; and was a special advisor to the minister for communications, energy and natural resources, Alex White, between 2014 and 2016.

He is also a member of the Irish Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council, established to provide independent advice to Government on AI policy.

The pair will join former RTÉ newscaster Eileen Dunne and Alice company chairperson Dermot Ryan on the firm’s team of expert advisors.

They will focus on providing high-level public affairs, stakeholder engagement, and strategic counsel services.

The founder and CEO of Alice PR, Martina Quinn, said that the appointment of both Mr Stanton and Mr Harbor will have a “huge benefit” on the firms’ clients.

“Our focus at Alice is on creating positive change in Ireland and further afield. David and Bernard align perfectly with this goal,” she said.

“Combined, they have 60 years’ experience in politics, stakeholder engagement, campaigning, and strategic communications.

“They have contributed to the advancement of workers’ rights, migrants’ rights and Travellers’ rights, amongst other issues,” she added.

“Their extensive contacts, their deep political understanding, and their experience of strategic political campaigning will be of huge benefit to our clients.

“We are delighted to have them join the team during an exciting time for the company, as we celebrate our 10th year in business.”