Deputy Permanent Representative of Ireland to the European Union
Barbara Cullinane
Barbara Cullinane, from Mullingar, is Ireland’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the European Union.
Prior to taking up this post she was Director of Policy Coordination in the Office of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, 2019-2021. She was Director of Strategy, Governance and Change at the Department’s headquarters from 2017-2018, and served as Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Ireland in London from 2012 to 2017.
She has covered Brexit and Northern Ireland issues, and also worked on multilateral affairs and international development at HQ and at the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the UN in New York.
She is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin and UCD Smurfit School of Business.
Curriculum Vitae
Barbara Cullinane is Ireland’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the European Union. She took up this post in November 2021.
Prior to this, she was Director of Policy Coordination in the Office of the Minister for Foreign Affairs (2019-2021).
From 2017-2018 she served as Director of Strategy, Governance and Change at the Department’s headquarters.
From 2012-2017 she was the Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Ireland in London.
From September 2009-2012 she served as the Director of Thematic Policies and Special Programmes in the Development Cooperation Division at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin.
From March-September 2009 she served a European Correspondent in the Political Division at the Department of Foreign Affairs.
From 2007-2009 she served as the Deputy Director, Conflict Resolution Unit in the Political Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
From 2006-2007 she worked in the Department of Finance in Dublin.
From 1999-2006 she was posted in the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the UN in New York.
Barbara entered the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs as a Third Secretary in 1997 in the Political Division.
Barbara is a native of Mullingar and has graduated from Trinity College Dublin and UCD Smurfit School of Business.
Education
- Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) – Trinity College Dublin, 1995
- Masters in Management – UCD Smurfit School of Business, 2008