News article added on Dec 08 2009
DCU Educational Trust has announced the creation of the Paddy Moriarty Memorial Scholarhip to honour the life and contribution of the late Paddy Moriarty. The first holder of the scholarship is Peter McCrossan who is undertaking research for his PhD in the School of Law and Government, focusing on analysing cooperation between regional organisations such as the EU, ASEAN and Mercosur.
Paddy Moriarty - a life
Paddy Moriarty, was a leading Irish industrialist and Chief Executive and Chairman of the ESB (the Irish state owned electricity utility).
He was born in Dingle in 1926, joined the ESB as a clerical officer in June 1945 at the age of nineteen and rose rapidly through the company ranks. He was head of Research and Audit in 1961, Assistant Chief Financial Officer in 1967 and Director of Personnel in 1970, before becoming Chief Executive in 1981 and Chairman ESB in 1991. During his life he became one of Ireland's leading business people of the twentieth century as he transformed both corporate governance and industrial relations in the ESB, from a tense and difficult period in the 1970s, so that they company became a world-class electricity provider, with interests in North and Central America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. All of this was achieved with a much improved and stable industrial relations context.
During his period within the company he served as an officer with the main trade union the ESBOA and then later served as head of personnel. This life experience of sitting on both sides of the industrial relations table made him a firm advocate of social partnership – both within the company – and from the mid 1980s onwards at the national level in Ireland.
His commitment to public service saw him sit on many public boards and committees advising on industrial policy, local economic development, the arts and sports.
DCU is also honoured to host The Paddy Moriarty Professorship of Government and International Studies – currently held by Professor Robert Elgie in the School of Law and Government.