Paschal Donohoe set for World Bank job has strong Roscommon links

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe, who has stepped down as Finance Minister to take up a position at the World Bank in Washington DC, has strong Roscommon connections.

His mother Caitlin, who passed away in April 2022, was a native of Falmore, Ballinagare, and his his uncle Eamonn Cunniffe lives there now.

Mr Donohoe’s first entry into politics was in 2004 when he was elected a Dublin City councillor for the Cabra–Glasnevin electoral area.

He secured the seat at the expense of his Fine Gael party colleague, Chris Giblin, who is a native of Lisacul, Castlerea.

Mr Donohoe was a neighbour of another Roscommon native, the late Michael Fitzmaurice who lived in Phibsboro.

Following news of Mr Donohoe’s appointment to the World Bank, Sligo/Leitrim TD Frank Feighan, who has been named as a new junior minister at the Department of Public Expenditure in a reshuffle, said his colleague's departure would leave a “huge void in Fine Gael and in Irish politics”.

In a statement, Deputy Feighan said: “Paschal has served as Minister for European Affairs, Transport, Tourism, Sport, Public Expenditure and of course Finance, serving with distinction in all of those important portfolios.

“Paschal Donohoe’s abilities were recognised on the European stage as Chair of the Euro group of Finance Ministers, serving two consecutive terms.

“In Ireland we have encountered many challenges across a number of areas from Brexit to covid 19, and economic downturns. In order to take on those issues we needed a robust economy with funds at the ready to intervene, Paschal ensured that we had a healthy ‘economic engine’ to tackle all of those challenges.

“He forged strong alliances with other countries and the EU and as Minister he worked so well with Taoisigh, Martin, Varadkar and Harris no to mention Ministers McGrath and Chambers.

“Today, Paschal Donohoe hands over an economy in good robust shape, with the resources to deal with our infrastructural challenges, I wish him well in his new post as the MD of the World Bank, no doubt he will do an excellent job in such an important and challenging role”, concluded Deputy Feighan.

Mr Donohoe resigned as the Minister for Finance today, Tuesday, and will start his role as senior managing director and chief knowledge officer at the World Bank on Monday.