*Joe Carey. Photograph: Joe Buckley
FORMER Clare TD Joe Carey (FG) has been hired to a new role as a public affairs consultant.
Clarecastle native Carey has joined Dublin based consultancy group Pinnacle Public Affairs working alongside a former Fine Gael Junior Minister and ex Government advisor.
A four-term Clare TD from 2007 until 2024, Joe retired from public life in 2024 on medical grounds. He was first elected to Clare County Council in June 1999 and remained one of Fine Gael’s strongest candidates at a local and countywide level during his twenty five year political career.
Pinnacle Public Affairs was founded in 2020 by former Fine Gael Junior Minister Paudie Coffey and former Government advisor Paul Fox.
During his time in the Dáil, Joe served as chairperson of the Joint Oireachtas Committees on Transport and Communications and Rural and Community Development; in 2020 Joe established the Shannon Airport Oireachtas Group and became its chairperson.
Of his new role, Carey stated, “After a lifetime of public service; I am now in a position to start an exciting new chapter in my career. Pinnacle Public Affairs is a dynamic, agile and expanding business that has a wide suite of clients across a variety of different sectors in the economy. I look forward to bringing my experience to the team in order to add value to clients’ needs”.
In his new role, Joe will be providing strategic advice to clients on government relations, public policy, stakeholder engagement and political communications. Pinnacle Public Affairs have listed regional development, transport and aviation policy, housing, healthcare, education, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure and community development as areas where Joe has “particular expertise”.
Director of Pinnacle Public Affairs, Coffey commented, “I’ve known Joe for almost 30 years and had the opportunity to serve in the Oireachtas alongside Joe during that period. I know that Joe will bring huge value to Pinnacle Public Affairs and our clients and we look forward to working with him as we continue to grow our business.
Fellow Director and co-founder Fox said, “It’s fantastic to have Joe Carey join our team. He is a highly popular and respected individual; who served with distinction as a public representative for more than a quarter of a century. We know that Joe’s experience and insights will add greatly to what we offer our clients”.
Waterford native Coffey served as a TD for one term, losing his seat in 2016. In July 2014, he was appointed as Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government with responsibility for Housing, Planning and Co-ordination of the Construction 2020 Strategy. After losing his Dáil seat, he was nominated to the Seanad by then Taoiseach Enda Kenny (FG). He retired from politics in December 2019. He worked for twenty years with ESB Newtorks before entering politics. He is currently Chairperson of the Waterford County Board Walsh Park redevelopment committee.
Fox worked as a Ministerial policy and press adviser in three Government departments including the Taoiseach’s Department, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade plus the Department of Housing. He was heavily involved in Ireland’s Brexit communications strategy. Paul holds a masters degree in Public Affairs and Political Communication.
