Commissioner for Research, Innovation & Science, Directorate General Research, Innovation & Science, European Commission.

Political career 1994 -1997: Member of Dáil Éireann and Opposition Spokesperson on Health. 1993 -1994: Minister for Justice. Member of the Irish Government team which negotiated the Joint Declaration of December 1993, by the British and Irish Governments, on Peace and Reconciliation in Ireland 1992: Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications • 1991 -1992: Member of Dáil Éireann • 1987 - 1991: Minister for European Affairs. Chaired inter-departmental Cttee. on EU policy with responsibility for co-ordinating Ireland’s EU Presidency in 1990. During the Presidency chaired the Budget, Telecommunications, Culture and Development Councils • 1982 - 1987: Member of Dáil Éireann • Chairwoman of 1st Joint Parliamentary Cttee. on Women’s Rights and Member of Parliamentary Cttee. on Marital Breakdown • 1982: Minister of State for Education • 1981 - 1982: Member of Dáil Éireann • 1979 - 1981: Minister for the Gaeltacht (1st woman Cabinet Minister since the foundation of the State) • 1977 - 1979: Minister of State for Commerce • 1975 – 1977: Member of Dáil Éireann (Irish Parliament). Professional career • 1970 -1975: Teacher • 1997 - 2000: Columnist with “The Irish Times” newspaper; TV presenter; Part-time business consultant; Non-executive director Aer Lingus; Non-executive director Ryan Hotels. • 2000-2010: Member of the European Court of Auditors. Other activities • Former Member of the Governing authority of the National University of Ireland Galway • 1996: Publication “The Green Diamond”.

In a video presentation at the Gender Summit 3 North America 2013 (GS3NA), the Commissioner introduced the latest EU-wide policy direction and initiatives in Europe to promote action on the gender dimension in research and innovation, and in particular, for the first time, as an integral part of the Horizon 2020 R&D programme, and the European Research Area.