Formation: Trinity College Dublin: Economics and Sociology, 1975
1976 College of Europe Bruges: Certificate of Advanced European Studies
Carrière:
1977-1979: Irish Department of Foreign Affairs
1979- 1981: Director General for External Relations
1981-1985: First Secretary in the Delegation of the Commission in Japan
1985-1989: Member for social affairs and relations with the European Parliament in the cabinet of Commissioner Sutherland
1989-1993: Head of task force for Human Resources, Education, Youth and Training
1993-1994: Member for employment policy, the social dialogue and labour law in the cabinet of Commissioner Flynn
1994-1996: Deputy head in the cabinet of Commissioner Flynn
1996-1998: Director-General for policy coordination and the European Social Fund
1998-1999: Director-General for the management of resources
1999: Director-General for Education, Training and Youth
1999-2000: Chief of the President’s cabinet of Commissioner Prodi
2000-2005: Secretary General of the EU Commission
2005-2010: Director-General for Trade
2010: Director-General of the Directorate-General for External Relations.
2011: Chief Operating Officer of the European External Action Service (EEAS).