"It is a huge responsibility to help carry forward our work on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the Convention on Cluster Munitions and many other international treaties." Dermot Fitzpatrick, Third Secretary - Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade. 

I graduated with a Masters in Political Science from UCD in 2012, having previously obtained a BA in International Relations from Dublin City University.

Jobbridge Internship 

In 2014 I completed a Jobbridge internship in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, where I worked on delivering public sector reform through shared services, and I subsequently joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

I am currently working in the Department's Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Section. In addition to providing briefings and analysis on disarmament and non-proliferation issues, I represent Ireland at EU working groups and at the UN and other international fora, and it is both a challenging and rewarding position.

Ireland is a leading voice on disarmament issues and has been a consistent force arguing for a world free from weapons of mass destruction. It is a huge responsibility to help carry forward our work on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the Convention on Cluster Munitions and many other international treaties.

Highlight

A personal highlight was when I represented Ireland at Anti-Personnel Land Mines Convention meetings at the UN in Geneva - sitting behind the Irish flag was an incredibly proud moment and really brought home how big an impact Ireland can have on the world stage.

I will most likely serve in Dublin for a further year or two and then depart on assignment to an Irish diplomatic mission abroad. I would really recommend the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to graduates who are considering their career options.

Dermot Fitzpatrick