Assistant Secretary, EU Affairs, Trade Policy and Licensing Division

Assigned responsibility at Assistant Secretary level for EU Affairs, Trade Policy and Export Licensing Division which involves the co-ordination of the department’s relations with the EU institutions and supporting Departmental Ministers in their membership of the EU Competitiveness and Trade Councils of Ministers; overseeing Irish interests in the development of the Single Market at EU level and the application of the Services Directive at national level and the operation of relevant national contact points; developing trade policy esp. as regards EU free trade agreements and the World Trade Organisation; the promotion of bilateral trade and investment with departmental agencies (with IDA and Enterprise Ireland); the operation of export (military and dual-use) licensing. He also leads on co-ordination of department and agency responses to Brexit, having established a specialist unit for this purpose in 2016.