Fergus Finlay appointed key adviser to Rabbitte
Mr Finlay worked for the party's most successful leader Dick Spring over the years 1982 to 1997 and served three governments in that period. Since he quit Labour in 1997 he has been working in public relations and will take a significant cut in income to take up the new job.
The appointment as chef de cabinet is an effort by the new leader to hire in the expertise and experience acquired by the former Labour strategist during some of the most turbulent times in Irish politics in the 1980s and 1990s. Party insiders say it is also an expression of Mr Rabbitte's determination to propel the party back to the heart of Irish public affairs.
