The Ideas Campaign Advisory Group

From the outset, the Ideas Campaign was conscious that we need to set realistic expectations about what can be achieved. We also wanted to ensure that our action plan is practical and achievable.

We set up a small Advisory Group and invited a number of leading figures to participate.

They bring a wealth of experience from the worlds of business, policy, academia, economics, the arts and the voluntary sector. They will provide strategic advice to the campaign and help shape the action plan.

The Advisory Group members were:

• Patrick Collison, technology entrepreneur and founder of Auctomatic
• Moya Doherty, Producer of Riverdance, the world-acclaimed theatrical phenomenon
• Sean Gallagher, Chief Executive, Smarthomes (and Dragons’ Den judge)
• Frank Gormley, Chair, Howard Eurocape and Founder St. Patrick’s Trust
• Alan Gray, Economist, Indecon
• Paul Mooney, President National College of Ireland
• Kieran McGowan, the former Chief Executive of the IDA
• Ian McShane, Chief Executive, Behaviour & Attitudes
• Paul Rellis, Chief Executive, Microsoft Ireland
• Tina Roche, Chief Executive, Business in the Community
• Don Thornhill, Chair, National Competitiveness Council

The Advisory Group believes that it is important to re-emphasise that this campaign is happening against the backdrop of a serious economic situation and a crisis in the public finances.