David O'Sullivan has been appointed as the new Director General of the Institute of International and European Affairs.
Mr O'Sullivan takes over from Michael Collins who served as IIEA Director General from November 2019- January 2022.
On his appointment, incoming IIEA Director General David O’Sullivan said he is honoured to take on the role. "At a time of unprecedented change in international affairs, it could not be more important to ensure that insightful, independent analysis of European and global affairs is provided to Irish policy makers, and to the Irish public."
Mr O’Sullivan served as Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to the United States from November 2014 until February 2019. Prior to his appointment as Ambassador, he was the Chief Operating Officer of the EU's diplomatic service, the 'European External Action Service’.
He had previously held a number of senior positions within the European Commission include Director General for Trade, Secretary General of the European Commission and Chief of Staff to Commission President Romano Prodi.
Before joining the Commission, he started his career with the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
He is a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin and the College of Europe.
IIEA Chairperson, Ruairí Quinn said: "In recent years the IIEA has gone from strength to strength. Last year over 17,000 people attended our events, tuning in from over 40 countries. We have diversified our way of providing value to members, whilst always fulfilling our mission to Share Ideas and Shape Policy.
"The appointment of David O’Sullivan as the next IIEA DG will enable the Institute to continue to thrive and grow into a think tank of international stature. David’s track record of public service at European and international level is unparalleled and places him in a unique position to lead the Institute’s next chapter."
Mr Quinn thanked Michael Collins for his tenure as Director General and Donal de Buitléir, who has acted as Interim Director General since the end of January 2022.
