Who we are

Along with the EU offices of the Scottish Government and the Welsh Assembly Government, The Office of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels operates under the umbrella of the UK Permanent Representation to the European Union.

Invest Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland's regional economic development agency, has two consultants based in ONIEB. If you would like more information on the work of Invest NI please visit its website at the following link:

Gerry Mulligan is the Head of the Office. Gerry became Director of the European Division in May 2010. He previously worked as Director of Equality within the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister and has been Head of the Equality, Rights and Social Need Division. In this post he had responsibility for the Northern Ireland Administration’s Strategy for Tackling Poverty and Social Exclusion, for advising on the future direction of social needs policy generally and for Anti Discrimination Legislation.

Alasdair MacInnes is the Deputy Head of Office. He joined the Brussels team in August 2006 from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.  On the policy side, he maintains a watching brief on issues relating Employment, Social Policy, Health and Education & Culture .

Noel Griffin is a Policy Officer. He joined the Brussels team in June 2008 from the Department for Employment and Learning.  On the policy side he maintains a watching brief on issues relating to Environment, Transport, Energy, and Skills.

Eileen Kelly is the Agriculture Policy Officer based in ONIEB. Her role is to assist DARD to contribute to EU policy development and implementation on agri-food, veterinary, fisheries and rural development issues. Eileen provides information and analysis on legislative proposals affecting Northern Ireland and advises on policy developments, strategy and links with the European Institutions particularly the European Commission but increasingly the European Parliament. Eileen also supports the work of ONIEB to promote Northern Ireland's interests within the European Union by facilitating the visits of Ministers and officials and by representing DARD at meetings and to visiting groups.

Helen Wright is the Visits and Events Officer. Helen joined the team in February 2010. Her role is to ensure the smooth running of Ministerial and other visits to Brussels and to organise events to promote Northern Ireland and its key policy objectives.

Heather Olbrechts-Lyons is the PA to the Head of Office. Heather joined the team in 2001, the year the office opened, having worked for 12 years in the Belgian private sector.

Corinne Becquevort is the Office Manager and joined the team when the office opened in 2001. Corinne is responsible for the finances of the office.

For issues relating to policy areas not mentioned above, please call our general number below and one of the office will be able to assist.