The Labour Party has announced that Liam Cahill, who served as programme manager for Fianna Fáil's David Andrews in the FF/Labour coalition in the early 1990s, is to become the party's communications director.
Mr Cahill, a former political correspondent with RTÉ, dealt with media relations for Intel and AIB after his time in politics, before setting up 3R Productions, which supplies programming to local, community and hospital radio stations.
"I am delighted with the appointment of Liam Cahill," said party leader Pat Rabbitte. "I know he is highly regarded in all the areas in which he has worked and Liam will bring to Labour a unique range of experiences from the areas of broadcasting, industry and public administration. Liam's skills would be an asset to any party and I am very pleased that he has come to work with the Labour Party."
Meanwhile, Mr Rabbitte has made a number of staffing changes, including the appointment of Adrian Langan as chef de cabinet, in place of Fergus Finlay, who has moved on to head up Barnardos.
Dr Colm O'Reardon, who was previously economic adviser, now becomes director of policy. Tony Heffernan , previously parliamentary director, becomes press and parliamentary director.