Tony Murphy has been re-elected for a second three-year term as President of the European Court of Auditors (ECA). At 63, Murphy continues in a role he has held since 2022 and brings decades of experience in public-sector auditing.
On October 9, Murphy will present the ECA’s annual report on the EU budget to the European Parliament in Strasbourg. He previously served as ECA Member for the Annual Report before becoming president. Reflecting on his tenure, Murphy stated, “Our interactions with the Parliament and its committees are highly regarded. This reputation as a trusted and expert partner is largely thanks to the dedication and professionalism of our staff.”
Murphy emphasized his pride in serving EU citizens and highlighted the importance of fair representation among member states. He noted that his new mandate will overlap with Ireland’s presidency of the EU in late 2026. During this period, he aims for the ECA to play a constructive role in shaping the next multiannual EU budgetary period and strengthening relationships with institutional partners, particularly the European Council.
He also addressed upcoming changes to how EU funds are managed: “The design of the next EU budget will have significant implications for how EU funds will be delivered, affecting how the EU auditors fulfil their mission.” Murphy expressed readiness to adapt to necessary changes and work toward enhancing the ECA’s visibility over his next term.
Murphy began his career at age 17 at Ireland’s Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General after finishing school in Dublin in 1979. There, he qualified as an accountant and conducted audits across various public sectors. His involvement with European affairs started when he served on—and later chaired—the Audit Board of the Council of Europe.
In 1999, after two decades at Ireland’s supreme audit institution, Murphy joined the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs as a seconded national expert. He recalled that moving to Luxembourg was a major decision given his young family at that time: “Like for everyone else”, he recalls, “it seemed like something I could see myself doing for a few years. But as many people know, it’s a huge decision to make, especially with a young family.”
Now settled in Luxembourg more than twenty-five years later, Murphy divides his time between professional responsibilities and family life spread across Ireland and Sweden.