The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Tralee barrister Gallagher named Attorney General
LEADING Tralee barrister Paul Gallagher has been appointed Attorney General for the second time.
Mr Gallagher – who was named as the Government’s chief legal advisor by Taoiseach Micheál Martin in Saturday – had previously held the position from 2007 to 2011 as part of Bertie Ahern and Brian Cowen’s successive administrations.
The Tralee native will serve in the cabinet-level role until at least December 2022, when Tánaiste Leo Varadkar will have the option to replace Mr Gallagher after he succeeds Micheál Martin in the rotating Taoiseach’s position.
In private practice since 2011, Mr Gallagher is widely viewed as one of the leading barristers in the country and has represented the State in several high-profile actions, including its response to the EU ruling that Apple must pay the exchequer €13billion in taxes.
His last term as AG coincided with the banking crisis and economic crash. Mr Gallagher was among those present when the decision was taken to guarantee the liabilities of Ireland’s largest banks. He was the only member of the Government to be present, aside from the Taoiseach and Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan.
He also provided legal advice on the establishment of the National Asset Management Agency and provided the Government with legal advice on various issues surrounding the arrival of the so-called, EU, IMF and ECB ‘Troika’.
A pupil of CBS Primary in Tralee Mr Gallagher grew up in Day Place, directly across the road from the family home of the new Education Minister Norma Foley, whom he now joins at the cabinet table.