Lucinda Creighton lands top Brexit role with PR firm

Former European Affairs minister and Renua leader Lucinda Creighton has joined up with a major public relations firm as head of its Brexit team.

Ms Creighton, who set up her own consultancy firm after losing her Dáil seat in February’s general election, will be primarily based in Dublin, but will also conduct business in Brussels and the US for the firm, Fipra.

“She will advise Fipra’s corporate clients on the likely scenarios post-divorce (the EU one, not the Hollywood one, to be clear) and oversee the firm’s advocacy efforts on the issue on both sides of the channel,” a statement said.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Ms Creighton said she was delighted with the opportunity as it will allow her to continue to develop her own firm Vulcan.

“This is exciting for me. My headquarters is here in Dublin and I am already employing someone but I will be travelling to Brussels every week, so it should be busy.”

Meanwhile, the Social Democrats have appointed a leading campaign manager of the successful yes equality campaign last year as their general secretary.

His appointment is seen as the party’s attempt to limit the damage of Stephen Donnelly’s recent decision to leave the party.

Brian Sheehan has worked as the executive director of Glen, one of Ireland’s leading LGBT advocacy organisations, since 2007 and was the co-director of the yes campaign in last’s year marriage referendum.

Speaking yesterday about his appointment, Mr Sheehan said: “It’s a great honour for me to take up this position with the Social Democrats. The party has a hugely important role to play in Irish politics and social change in the years to come.

“The Social Democrats are ideally placed to bring the essential Irish values of fairness, justice and equal citizenship to the forefront of Irish politics”.