The Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA) is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Orlaigh Quinn, a member of the IIEA Board, as Interim Director General. Dr Quinn will assume the role on July 1 2026, following the completion of Alex White’s tenure as Director General, a position he has held since January 2023.

Dr Quinn brings to the role a distinguished career in public service at both national and international levels. She made history as the first woman appointed Secretary General of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (2016–2023). Leading the Department through pivotal moments including Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic, she also oversaw major national strategies such as the White Paper on Enterprise, the National Digital Strategy and Ireland’s Trade and Investment Strategy.

Her experience spans key areas of government, including public service reform at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, leading Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union as Head of EU and International Affairs, and shaping national policy as Head of National Pensions at the Department of Social Protection. Internationally, she has also worked with the European Commission as an expert in employment and social policy.

Announcing the appointment, Feargal O’Rourke, Chairperson of the IIEA Board, said: “The IIEA has a critical period ahead as Ireland assumes the EU Presidency. The IIEA’s unique role as a hub for policy research and informed debate will be more important than ever. We are fortunate and delighted to have Orlaigh Quinn step into this role. She brings not only deep policy expertise but also a profound understanding of government and international affairs that will guide the IIEA through this strategically significant time.”

Mr O’Rourke also paid tribute to the outgoing Director General: “On behalf of the Board, I want to sincerely thank Alex White for his exemplary leadership as Director General of the IIEA. A considered, conscientious and committed leader, he has played a key role in strengthening the IIEA’s reputation, advancing its strategic ambitions, and ensuring it continues to deliver real value to its members. It has been a pleasure to work alongside him. We wish him well as he takes over another key role as Chair of the Climate Change Advisory Council.”

The IIEA Board is undertaking a recruitment process to appoint a permanent Director General and will provide further updates in due course.

The Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA) is an independent think tank and policy research institute. It serves as a forum for dialogue and analysis, bringing together policymakers, practitioners, and experts to explore issues of Irish, European, and global importance. For more information, visit: www.iiea.com

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Biography 
Dr Orlaigh Quinn was the first woman appointed as Secretary General of the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment (2016 -2023), leading the Department through major events including Brexit, Covid and the effects of the war in Ukraine, at the same time heading the development and implementation of key national strategies including the White Paper on Enterprise, the National Digital Strategy and the Trade and Investment Strategy. She also spearheaded reform of Ireland’s public and civil service at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, leading Ireland’s Presidency of the European Union as Head of EU and International Affairs and developing national policies as Head of National Pensions in the Department of Social Protection.

She is currently a board member of several organisations including The Convention Centre Dublin; the National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority (NAERSA); the Institute for International and European Affairs; Business in the Community Ireland and the Foundation for Fiscal Studies. She is Chair of the Governance Board of CONNECT, Research Ireland Centre for Future Networks and Chair of the Project Governance Board for the National Credit Union Strategy. She also acts as a Senior Advisor to Interpath and is member of the Institute of Directors.

She is a former Visiting Research Fellow of Trinity College Dublin and holds a Masters in Public Management and a Doctorate in Governance from Queen’s University Belfast. She is the author of two books on public policy topics.