Bobby McDonagh’s career, unusually, spanned each of the three main EU Institutions. He represented Ireland for eight years in the Council of Ministers, including for four of those years as Ireland’s Permanent Representative (Ambassador) to the EU. He worked in the European Commission for four years in the cabinets (private offices) of two Irish European Commissioners. Early in his career, he was an official of the European Parliament. 

He also worked for 15 years on European matters at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin, including as Director General of its EU Division, helping to shape, coordinate and advance Irish policies on EU issues. 

The IIEA has published some of Bobby’s previous work, including his account of the Amsterdam Treaty negotiations during Ireland’s 1996 EU Presidency.