Name: John Dunne.

Background: Born in Dublin. Educated at Belvedere. Took a B Comm at University College, Dublin in 1960. Worked in the hotel industry and marketing from 1960 to 1966. Returned to Ireland to join the staff of the Federated Union of Employers.

Became director general of the renamed Federation of Irish Employers (FIE) in 1988. Became director general of the Irish Business and Employers' Confederation when it was set up in 1993 out of a merger of the FIE and Confederation of Irish Industry.

Interests: He played rugby and cricket for Belvedere and still takes a keen interest in sport. A favourite form of relaxation is listening to radio commentaries on cricket matches.

Family: He is married with three children, two boys and a girl.

Why in the news: He has been called into talks with the Government and trade unions to try and salvage Partnership 2000 and see if negotiations on a new national agreement are feasible.