Thomas Ryan
, Irish, 1929-2021
Title
Portrait of T.K. Whitaker (1916-2017), StatesmanDate2002
MediumOil on canvas
Dimensions
90 x 75 cm
Signedlower left: Thomas Ryan
Credit LineCommissioned, National Gallery of Ireland, as part of the Irish Life and Permanent Portrait Series, 2002
Object numberNGI.4708
DescriptionT.K. Whitaker is one of the chief architects of the Republic's economic expansion and is credited with modernising the Irish economy and paving the way for the Celtic Tiger. After a distinguished academic career, he joined the Civil Service, and at the young age of 39 was appointment secretary to the Department of Finance. He formed a team of officials within the department in 1958, with whom he produced a detailed study of the economy. The plan recommending policies for improvement was transformed into a white Paper entitled Programme for Economic Expansion. At a time of unprecedented depression, and against prevailing policies it argued for free trade, increased competition, the end of protectionism, and the creation of jobs in industry and services. This portrait was the fourth in the Irish Life and Permanent plc portrait series for the National Portrait Collection. Thomas Ryan is a former president of the Royal Hibernian Academy whose work hangs in major collections.Label TextT.K. Whitaker was one of the chief architects of the Republic’s economic expansion. After a brief but distinguished academic career, he was appointed secretary to the Department of Finance, where in 1958 he and his team of officials produced a detailed study of the economy. Their plan, recommending policies for improvement, became a white paper entitled Programme for Economic Expansion. At a time of unprecedented depression, and contrary to prevailing policy, it argued for free trade, increased competition, the end of protectionism, and the creation of jobs in industry and services.