Clinton picks NI economic envoy

Declan Kelly visited the Titanic Quarter as part of a series of engagements (picture from paulmcerlane.com)

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has appointed an Irish business advisor as her government's economic envoy to Northern Ireland.

Declan Kelly, 41, was born in Portroe, County Tipperary, and advised Mrs Clinton during her campaign for the presidency.

Mr Kelly has been meeting political, civic and business leaders during a series of engagements in Belfast.

He is a former vice-president of FTI, a global business consultancy.

His brother, Alan, secured a seat in the European Parliament elections in the Republic as the mid-west's Labour candidate.

Aside from his business interests, Mr Kelly serves on the boards of several philanthropic and community-based organisations which focus on Irish issues, including the American Ireland Fund.

He is also chairman of the US Foundation Board of NUI Galway, where he once studied.

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