Originally from Dunboyne, Co. Meath.

About your job: My job is to ensure good diplomatic relations between the European Union and the United States, to explain EU policies to US businesses, educators, legislators and regulators. The United States is a huge country and it is difficult to have the time to get to - and get to know - every state. A country of this size and power can also be hard to interest in the achievements of the European Union because, as a country of immigrants, many states and cities have strong allegiances to the 'old country' and the EU is seen as a new kid on the block. Also, the European Union's relationship with the United States has a huge trade dimension but political issues are becoming an increasingly important part of our work, e.g. immigration, counterterrorism and so on. One is never bored!
I really enjoy my meetings with members of Congress, the legislative branch of the US government. I have met around 250 so far, which has not only given me an opportunity to explain potential knock-on effects of US legislation, but to learn from them about the diversity of interests in the United States too.
I also enjoy meeting high school students. They are still open-minded and often are very astute in the questions they ask.

Why the EU? In 2004, I was a TD working on the Convention on the Future of Europe when I was approached about becoming the Commission's Ambassador to Washington. At the time, relations between the United States and Europe were still strained over the Iraq war. I believed transatlantic relations had to be repaired for the global good, and I have deployed myself tirelessly to that end since arriving here.

How do you think Ireland has benefited most from the EU? Ireland has benefitted economically and politically from European Union membership - more than any other member state. Joining in 1973 at the same time as the United Kingdom, it helped 'normalize' relations with our nearest neighbour and made us less economically dependent on the UK market. The enormous transfers we have received from the EU helped us to modernise our economy and infrastructure which helped us attract inward investment and create jobs.

Based: Washington D.C., which is the seat of the federal government. The city was planned by French architect Pierre L'Enfant and the White House was designed and built by Irishman James Hoban.

Languages: In addition to English and Irish, I speak French, which I learned in school and have been learning Spanish.

Books/Music: My favourite living singer is Iris de Ment and my favourite singer of all time is John McCormack. I cannot pick any favourite book.