journalist born september irish economist journalist television radio presenter fine politician worked appointed economics editor time news current affairs named irish journalist year major tax scandal presented documentary programmes lee dublin south constituency june winning election majority referred celebrity february lee announced resignation fine having spent months politics reasoning virtually influence input returned presented followed early personal life lee father motor mechanic mother lee seventh family children grew dublin attended dublin suburb lee graduate holds economics specialist area labour economics unemployment married née children harry lives lee famously travelled work giving test ride live career lee joined civil service executive officer years later started studied economics academics prior broadcasting worked journalist lee senior economist worked research economist ireland worked public broadcasting service ireland appointed economics editor lee named irish journalist year uncovered major tax scandal devised researched presented television series including winds change berlin wall thought economics guru left late 1990s work left job returned post day embarking political career filmed series based fall berlin wall aired november parodied 1990s comedy seen staring lens camera featured political career news radio lee announced resigning economic editor announced intention seek nomination election lee took year unpaid leave lee chosen candidate election candidate nomination elected count represent june received 1st preference vote total received 1st preference votes position filled europe editor correspondent instead promoted business editor elected lee referred celebrity opinion poll concerning support possible candidates presidential election conducted october lee came receiving support high profile politicians lee highlighted failure holding company publisher potential impact irish loans given investors january lee saw example urgent need investigation irish banking crisis resignation politics february announced resignation fine having virtually influence input shaping economic policies time economic emerged february lee met fine leader told intention resign kenny offered lee position spokesman economic planning speaking reporters outside soon announcement lee said accept position absolutely input months think honest honest electorate pretend asked resignation vote confidence kenny lee said certainly lots large moment relation leader position said minimal involvement fine finance spokesman maximum conversations total months period don know relationship lee said kenny noted lee appointed chair party committee economic policy forum anticipated important role coming period fine kenny spokesman later dismissed proposition resignation implications leadership cited public endorsement kenny deputies course weekend fine leader said surprised decision thought fitting adding believed cabinet member fine led government criticised resignation senator speaking programme harris suggested financial considerations long working hours politicians reasons lee resigned lee campaign manager election said discussions lee complained major reduction income leaving lee denied financial considerations decision quit politics return received letter lee confirming intentions return leave absence said february wait months returning exactly year leaving returned broadcaster worked advisor business desk presented mind business radio saturday summer replacement business moved present programme lee took business slot september saturday radio addition radio edition lee presented televised version titled business
George Lee (journalist)