Name: Dr Michael Somers.

Family: Married to Deirdre, four children.

Education: St Mary's, Rathmines, UCD, BComm, MA, PhD in Economics.

Career: Foras Tionscail 19601963, Department of Finance 1963-1968, Central Bank 19681970, Assistant Secretary Department of Finance 19701985, Secretary Department of Defence 1985-1987, Secretary National Debt Management 1987-1990, chief executive National Treasury Management Agency 1990-present.

Other interests: European Investment Bank: one of four members on audit committee, Director of the Stock Exchange, Director of UCD Foundation, Council member Dublin Chamber of Commerce, Council member Financial Services Investment Authority.

Why he is in the news: The National Treasury Agency reports its accounts at the end of this month and is expected to come in at £200 million below budget for the cost of servicing the national debt.