The Government Buildings have recruited a crucial advisor from Simon Coveney, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment. Chris Donoghue, previously a Newstalk reporter and presenter turned media advisor in 2017, will assume the role of Government press secretary upon Simon Harris’s succession of Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach on April 9th, as the Fine Gael party chooses its new leader.
As a result, there is heightened conjecture about Mr Coveney’s career prospects, despite insistence from sources within his circle that no conclusions should be drawn from his advisor’s shift to the Taoiseach’s office.
Upon taking office, Mr Donoghue will join Sarah Bardon and Max Murphy, both part of Mr Harris’s main consultation team. Joanne Lonergan, a past advisor to Mr Harris during his time at the Department of Health and a seasoned figure within the Government Buildings, is also likely to return to the team. It is anticipated that an economics expert will be drafted, and some members of Mr Varadkar’s current crew will maintain their positions, whether temporarily or permanently.
This step-up for Mr Donoghue, who was a co-host of Ivan Yates (former Fine Gael Minister turned broadcaster), suggests a considerable compensation increment. Though his precise payroll in the new position is not finalized, it’s known that Nick Miller, the current Government press secretary, enjoys a salary range of €156,000 to €178,000, equivalent to that of an assistant secretary-general in Civil Service. In his former role, Mr Donoghue earned an annual income of €114,347.
His partnership with Mr Coveney began during the latter’s tenure as Minister for Foreign Affairs, where he drew upon his expertise navigating the intricate EU-UK Brexit negotiations and ensuing strain between the Irish and British administrations.
In his capacity as an advisor to the Minister at Iveagh House, he played a significant role when Ireland secured a momentary position on the United Nations Security Council in June 2020 – the first time in twenty years that the nation gained a seat amongst the 15-member entity.
Mr Donoghue handled the political repercussions stemming from the tumultuous incident involving Mr Coveney’s unsuccessful bid to make former independent minister Katherine Zappone the special envoy to the UN in 2021.
Even following the December 2022 cabinet reshuffle which saw the Cork TD ascend to the role of Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, he maintained his position as the Minister’s press advisor.