Mr Michael Tutty, the front-runner as candidate for the European Investment Bank (EIB) job, and a senior civil servant at the Department of Finance for a number of years, has been responsible for drawing up the Budget for the past six years. He has spent considerable time in Europe, particularly when he was assistant secretary in the Department's division with responsibility for co-ordinating all EU matters. He was also the first Irish chairman of the EU Monetary Committee.
Mr Tutty is variously described as aloof, detail-oriented, and highly intelligent, with an ironic sense of humour. Despite being demanding on those under him, he is seen as being good to work for as he is clear about what he wants and is willing to delegate even to quite junior members of his team.
He has been described as conservative and it is said he found it easier when his job was to look affter money rather than give it away, as in recent Budgets. He said of himself in an interview last year: "The job of the Department of Finance is to curb enthusiasm, just like your bank manager". Aged 54, he was born and brought up in Drumcondra, Dublin. He attended St Patrick's national school and later went to St Stanislaus Kostka College in Clontarf. He got a B.Comm at UCD and was awarded a Master of Economic Sciences at the Institute of Public Administration.
Mr Tutty began his career at the ESB before going to the Department of Transport and Power as an executive officer. He was promoted five years later to administrative officer when he was assigned to the banking section of the Department of Finance.
He served at different levels in the Department. He spent a lot of time on the Strategic Management Initiative and was among the first group of senior civil servants to visit Australia and New Zealand.
He was also one of the assistant secretaries who volunteered for an M.Sc in strategic management at TCD in 1993.
In June 1994 he was appointed head of the division which deals with budgetary, taxation and incomes policy, as well as economic forecasting and analysis and demand management.
The division is also responsible for macroeconomic planning and development and EU policy co-ordination. Mr Tutty is also responsible for drawing up the Budget.
Apart from his job at the Department, he is involved with the Institute of European Affairs, the National Economic and Social Council and the Statistical Society. Mr Tutty, a bachelor, still lives in Drumcondra, in his parents' home. Close to Department colleagues, he stands a few rounds every Friday evening in their regular pub, Reilly's. Enjoying good wine, he also occasionally cooks for a close circle of friends. He enjoys cycling in the mountains and, a hurling enthusiast, he spends most Sundays during the season at Croke Park. A keen tennis player, he still plays at Fitzwilliam in Dublin.