Liam BRESLIN is from Co-Westmeath in Ireland and studied Agricultural Sciences at University College Dublin. He has worked in the Irish Department of Agriculture and Food and the National Farm Advisory Service. He joined the European Commission in 1984 and from 1984-1990 he worked in FEOGA Guidance Fund – dealing with Structural Funds and support for Marketing and Processing of Agricultural and Fishery products. He was responsible for grant aid to the Irish Food Industry.
In 1990 he joined DG Research and worked as a scientific officer on food and agricultural research programmes in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Framework Programmes. In 1999 he became Head of Unit with responsibility for key actions “Food, Nutrition and Health” and “Environment and Health” in the 5th Framework Programme; and for “Food Quality” in the 6th Framework Programme. In 2004 he moved to the Transport Directorate of DG Research – responsible for Aeronautics Research. During 2008-2009 he was interim Director – responsible for the interim phase and launch of the “Clean Sky” Joint Technology Initiative. Since 2011 he has been responsible for “Surface Transport” in FP7 and Horizon 2020, within DG Research and Innovation- responsible to the research programmes on automotive, waterborne and rail transport.
In January 2017- he moved to DG Agriculture and Rural Development—where he is Head of Unit for Pre-Accession assistance.