Paschal Donohoe — new role for pragmatic centrist at the heart of Irish politics

As Ireland's finance minister steps down to take up a senior role at the World Bank, Paul Hosford looks back on the political career of a prudent pragmatist

Then senator and Dublin Central Dáil candidate Paschal Donohoe in May 2009. It would be two more years before he won that seat, going on to become transport, tourism, and sport minister during his first Dáil term. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall

“I am departing public life in Ireland.” With those words Paschal Donohoe brought to a close 11 years at the Cabinet table and the guts of a decade as one of the most recognisable figures in Irish politics.

It also ends a sustained period linking him to a move abroad to take up a senior role within world financial organisations.