This paper reviews the development of the personnel function in Ireland, considers some key challenges facing the function and assesses prospects for the function as we face the next century. In tracing its development as a management function in Ireland, it is argued that the personnel function evolved towards a prevailing industrial relations ’ orthodoxy. However, as a result of increased competitive pressures, we are now witnessing a dismantling of such orthodoxy. As yet no clear alternative path to IR orthodoxy is discernible. Rather, a range of alternative approaches are emerging, with the role of personnel function varying according to organizational and environmental contingencies.