A Runner's Story

AS Public Relations Officer for Dublin Corporation for the past 24 years Noel Carroll has been the public face of the capital's local authority. His tenure of the office has not been characterised by the spin doctor techniques of modern PR Mr Carroll told it like it was even when the telling did nothing for his, or the Corporation's, popularity. This evening in his spartan office at Wood Quay, overlooking the River Liffey, he win clear his Corporation desk for the last time.

In two weeks, after a short holiday, he will move to Clare Street, where he will take up the post of chief executive of Dublin Chamber of Commerce, succeeding Mr Tom Cox who will retire from the Chamber in March.

In his new role, Mr Carroll is expected to bring his undoubted energies to bear and help to raise the profile of the Chamber, which represents approximately 3,000 businesses in Dublin. He will be expected to provide a valuable conduit between the organisation and the many industrial social and cultural strands that make up the city's business world.

Unlike some other organisations, the Chamber of Commerce tends to do most of its business behind closed doors, rather than lobbying in public. Sources say there is a feeling that the Chamber has not always been given the credit it deserves for initiatives it has put in place and should have a more visible role. It is expected that Carroll will help to do this using his knowledge and understanding of the media.

Earlier this week, the former Olympic middle distance runner was still going into battle for the Corporation, putting across its side of the story, fending off criticism sometimes accused of defending the indefensible it depends on your point of view.

Mr Carroll is eminently quotable and has gone down in Dublin's history for comments such as "People who live by the river should expect to get their feet wet now and again." In 1986 these words has a less than comforting affect on afflicted householders whose homes were flooded in the aftermath of Hurricane Charlie when the Dodder burst its banks causing millions of pounds worth of damage.

Such comments drew the wrath of the public, although many of those who know Mr Carroll are quick to defend him.

Gay Mitchell, former Lord Mayor of Dublin and current Minister for European Affairs, says Mr Carroll might come across as Insensitive on occasion "but if you ask him his opinion he will give it. He won't tell you something because he thinks that is what you want to hear." Mr Mitchell worked with him from 1979 to 1995. Mr Carroll also serves on the Dublin International Sports Council (DISC), which Mr Mitchell set up to examine the feasibility of bringing the Olympic Games to Dublin.

"There were times over the years when I'd look across at him, at Corporation meetings, and say he's rubbing me up the wrong way" says Mr Mitchell. "But over the years I got to know and admire him."

Mr Carroll's appointment to Chamber of Commerce came as a surprise to some people who thought that a person with business background would be selected. However, Mr Carroll does have a grounding in the business world.

He spent two years in the Army before winning a sports scholarship to Villanova University in the US where he took a degree in economics. He then returned to Ireland to work for IBM for three years. However, he found that the world of computing as it was then, too introverted for his tastes. He then got a job with Eastern Regional Tourism, working on promotions where he later became assistant general manager.

In 1972 he was appointed public relations officer for Dublin Corporation. The job has grown over the years, he says, as the city has expanded.

Observers say he is very much his own man, but he did work closely with Frank Feely, the City Manager, who is retiring this year. Mr Carroll feels passionately about the public service and this is said to be one of the factors which motivates him and explains his readiness to do battle on its behalf, on any issue no matter how unpopular.

"I am committed to the organisation," he says. "I believe in what it does and its importance to citizens."

He then lists the many functions of the local authorities providing services such as housing, water, lighting, sewerage, public parks, running libraries and other amenities.

Those who worked with him say he has always managed to keep his role as public relations officer above politics. Indeed, people say they cannot identify his politics.

One public relations adviser who has worked with Mr Carroll says he managed to keep the Lord Mayor's office separate from the Corporation's role. "Noel Carroll argued the Corporation case exclusively and more often than not it was effective," says the adviser. "He didn't mince words and was not afraid to take on people who sometimes had their own agendas."

Another PR source believes that in the public relations stakes Carroll won more battles than he lost. "Often what he said was true, but not always popular at the time."

Mr Carroll is no stranger to his new employers at Dublin Chamber of Commerce The Chamber has dealt with him many times, through various committees and initiatives.

One Chamber source says there is still a culture in the public service which tends to look for reasons for not doing things, rather than finding ways around problems. Mr Carroll, says the source, was always looking for ways to do things. "Carroll never become part of the Corporation "culture" although he spent half of his life defending it " says the source.

Although there was some surprise at Mr Carroll's appointment to the Chamber, many insiders are now coming round to the idea. "On reflection Carroll's appointment is a good one," says a source. So, amuck of Chamber business is about dealing with people in administration in order to get things done. Noel Carroll knows Dublin's movers and shakers."