NCC Structure

The National Competitiveness Council (NCC) reports to the Taoiseach on key competitiveness issues for the Irish economy together with recommendations on policy actions required to enhance Ireland's competitive position.

The NCC was established by the Government in May 1997 as part of the Partnership 2000 Agreement. Forfás, the national policy and advisory board for enterprise, trade, science, technology and innovation, provides the Council's secretariat.

Council members are appointed by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The current membership consists of:

representatives of the employer and trade union social partnership pillars;
persons with relevant expertise in competitiveness;
a representative of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment;
the Chief Executive of Forfás.

Representatives from the Departments of the Taoiseach, Arts, Sport and Tourism, Communications, Marine & Natural Resources, Education & Science, Environment & Local Government, Finance and Transport, and from InterTradeIreland attend Council meetings in an advisory capacity.

Council Members

Dr Don Thornhill: Chairman
Rory Ardagh: Director, Magnet Networks
Brendan Butler: Director of Strategy, Trade, EU & International Affairs, IBEC
Donal Byrne: Chairman, Cadbury Ireland Ltd.
Shay Cody: Deputy General Secretary, IMPACT
Martin Cronin: Chief Executive, Forfás
Pat Delaney: Director of Sectors & Regions, IBEC
Annette Hughes: Director, DKM Economic Consultants
Seamus O'Morain: Assistant Secretary, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
William Slattery: Chief Executive Officer, State Street International (Ireland)
Paul Sweeney: Economic Advisor, Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU)
John Travers: Consultant and former Chief Executive Officer, Forfás
Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski: President, Dublin City University
William J. Prasifka: Chairperson, Competition Authority

Advisers

Paul Bates: Assistant Secretary
Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism
Mary Doyle: Assistant Secretary
Department of An Taoiseach
John Murphy: Assistant Secretary
Department of Transport
Ruth Carmody: Assistant Secretary
Department of Education and Science
Mark Griffin: Assistant Secretary
Department of the Environment & Local Government
Ann Nolan: Assistant Secretary
Department of Finance
Eamonn Molloy: Assistant Secretary
Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources

Secretariat and Research Function

Declan Hughes: Divisional Manager, Competitiveness Division, Forfás
Adrian Devitt: Manager, National Competitiveness & Infrastructure Department
Gráinne Greehy: Graduate Trainee
Eoghan O Briain: Graduate Trainee
Caoimhe Gavin: Policy Advisor