A FORMER FIANNA FÁIL government minister has joined a leading public relations firm on a consultancy basis.
Pat Carey, a former Cabinet minister in the final years of the Cowen administration, will work in the areas of consultation management, strategy and public affairs with DHR Communications.
DHR was founded nine years ago and has 10 people working for it. It handles public relations for the likes of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, Samaritans, and Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company.
Carey was a Dublin North West TD from 1997 to 2011 and served as government chief whip from 2008 before becoming Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs in 2010.
In January 2011 he added several portfolios to his ministerial brief following a raft of resignations in the final days of Brian Cowen’s beleagured administration, serving as Minister for Transport as well as Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
He lost his seat at the 2011 general election as Fianna Fáil suffered an unprecedented collapse in its vote with Carey coming fifth in the three-seat constituency. He received a €231,344 pay-off in his first twelve months out of office.
A LinkedIn profile for Carey lists him as working for Pat Carey & Associates since July 2011 and describes him as specialising in “independent development and evaluation of public policy specialising in the area of overseas development and community and voluntary sector”.
Catherine Heaney, DHR Communications’ managing director, said: “Pat brings with him a wealth of experience in politics, public affairs, stakeholder engagement and mediation. We know he will be a valuable addition to our team.”
Carey’s involvement in the last days of the Cowen government was also notable for an infamous appearance on Prime Time when he was castigated by future minister and Labour TD Pat Rabbitte:
YouTube: rte
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