Fergal O'Brien is Ibec’s Director of Policy and Public Affairs. He leads and coordinates the organisation’s activity across a range of business policy issues and public affairs activity. He represents Irish business on a number of fora at both national and EU level and is currently the Chair of BusinessEurope’s Economic Policy Committee and a council member of the Foundation for Fiscal Studies. Fergal is a regular commentator on the economy and domestic and international policy issues.

Prior to joining Ibec in 2005, Fergal worked for 5 years as an Economic Consultant with Fitzpatrick Associates, where he delivered a large number of consultancy assignments for a range of public and private sector clients. He also worked as an economist with the Irish Dairy Board. Fergal holds his primary and masters degrees from the University of Limerick.