Progressive Democrats policy director Séamus Mulconry has resigned his post just months ahead of the general election.
Mr Mulconry (41), who was appointed to the position two years ago, confirmed yesterday he resigned "after getting an offer I couldn't refuse" to join Edelman public relations as head of public affairs.
This is the second senior back-room person to resign from the PDs in the last five months and since Tánaiste Michael McDowell replaced Mary Harney as party leader.
In September head of communications Ian Noctor resigned to produce a NewsTalk breakfast programme. In December he left NewsTalk to take up a job as current affairs editor with RTÉ Radio 1.
Mr Mulconry told The Irish Timesyesterday it was with regret he resigned but the offer from Edelman was an extremely attractive and challenging one.
He said he had spent much of his time working on the PD election manifesto and "much of that job is now complete".
"The main thrust of the manifesto is finished, so I feel a large part of my job has been fulfilled," said Mr Mulconry, whose contract with the PDs was for three years.
There are no immediate plans for the party to replace either post, a spokeswoman said last night.
"We are considering whether or not we are filling the position of policy director.
"The main research function of the job in terms of working on the election manifesto is substantially complete."
In relation to the position of head of communications, she said part of that function had gone outside, such as employing a creative agency to do posters.
"We are revising the way this job operates internally."