Simon Coveney lands consultant job with EY Ireland

By Cillian Sherlock, PA

Former tánaiste Simon Coveney has taken up a consultant post with EY Ireland.

Mr Coveney, who retired from politics at the end of last year, will join the firm’s geopolitical strategy team with immediate effect.

He stepped down as deputy leader of Fine Gael in April 2024, shortly after Leo Varadkar announced he was stepping down as Taoiseach and leader of the party.

Mr Coveney, who was foreign affairs minister during Brexit negotiations between the UK and the EU, said he was “delighted” to take up the consultant position.

He said: “In recent times, the speed and complexity of decision-making has greatly increased, and it is now imperative that organisations assess the impact of geopolitical risk on their operations in real time.

“I am looking forward to working with EY clients to help them effectively identify, assess and manage political risk in a world that is changing at incredible pace.”

Professional services firm EY said the geopolitical strategy unit provides a unique offering to clients across the island of Ireland at a time of heightened complexity and political risk.

EY Ireland managing partner Frank O’Keeffe says, “These are complex times. Businesses are increasingly focused on assessing the potential impact of global geopolitical risk on their investments, supply chains, data, strategy and other key areas of their business.

“We know that Simon’s long and distinguished career in public service will allow us to bring even deeper insights and value to our clients as we help them to adjust in real time to a changing global marketplace and to advance ‘no regret’ decisions that deliver real value.”