A brief biography

Liz O’Donnell was born in Dublin, studied at Trinity College Law School, and after graduation had a career as a lawyer. She was first elected to Dublin City Council in 1991 for the Rathmines Ward. She had earlier been Vice Chair of the Women’s Political Association and had worked on the Presidential Campaign of Mary Robinson.
Liz has works on a diverse portfolio of activities which includes broadcasting, journalism, public affairs consultancy and lecturing.  Liz worked as Director of Policy, Government Affairs and Communications for Pharmaceutical firm MSD Irish operations. Alongside this, she is also currently the RSA Chairperson.

She lives in Dublin and has two adult children.

Liz’s prior positions

Liz was also an opinion columnist in the Irish Independent daily newspaper which enjoys the biggest readership in Ireland. She wrote mainly on politics and public affairs.

In 2008 Liz O’Donnell wrote and presented a four-part documentary series for RTE called “Far Away Up Close”, which dealt with the Irish overseas aid programme…
She also participates in tv and radio programmes, particularly related to her time as Minister and her involvement in the Good Friday negotiations. Read more…

Liz O’Donnell was first elected to the Dáil in 1992 and served as Progressive Democrats TD for Dublin South from 1992 to 2007.
She was Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs from 1997 -2002 and in this capacity had a role in Anglo Irish relations. She was Chief Whip of the Progressive Democrats and Deputy Leader of the Progressive Democrats. She retired from politics following the 2007 General Election. Read more…

Although Liz retired from politics in 2007, she has not left the public arena and is now involved in a variety of activities. Liz engages in a wide variety of charitable works and fundraising as well as her expansive portfolio of activities relating to the media, broadcasting and journalism, public affairs consultancy and advocacy work as well being involved in Celebrity Apprentice, a six-part TV series for TV3 where she acted as an advisor in the Boardroom to Caroline Downey.  Read more…