Gabriel Makhlouf, Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland, discussing The Outlook for the Year Ahead, Monday 25 January 2021
Tuesday, 19 January 2021

On Monday 25th January 2021, the University of Limerick hosted a visit (virtually) by Gabriel Makhlouf, Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland. In an address to UL, the Governor discussed the outlook for the Irish economy for the year ahead, touching on the impact of the COVID-19, the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, and policy response to the pandemic. He also set out his key priorities for the Central Bank in 2021 and discussed the importance of engaging with the public and domestic stakeholders in an open and transparent manner.

This event was introduced by UL President, Professor Kerstin Mey and included an audience Q&A session facilitated by Professor Stephen Kinsella, Department of Economics, Kemmy Business School. The event was coordinated and produced by Elaine Mullane and Erin King, Kemmy Business School.

​The Governor’s address has been included in the launch episode of UL Podcasts, which is available to listen to here.


Biography of Governor Makhlouf:

Gabriel Makhlouf took up his position as Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland on 1 September 2019. He chairs the Central Bank Commission, is a member of the Governing Council of the European Central Bank, a member of the European Systemic Risk Board, and is Ireland's Alternate Governor at the International Monetary Fund.

Before joining the Central Bank, Gabriel was Secretary to the New Zealand Treasury and the Government's chief economic and financial adviser from 2011 to 2019. During his time as Secretary, he led reviews of New Zealand's three macroeconomic pillars (monetary, financial stability and fiscal policy) and the development of a new framework for the development of economic and public policy focused on intergenerational wellbeing. In addition Gabriel was New Zealand's Alternate Governor at the World Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Asian Development Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. He was also co-chair of the Trans-Tasman Banking Council. 

Previously, Gabriel worked in the UK civil service where his roles ranged from policy on domestic and international tax issues through to large-scale operational delivery. He has also chaired the OECD’s Committee on Fiscal Affairs and was responsible for the UK's Government Banking Service.