Ruairí is currently Director General, Development Cooperation and Africa Division, in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland.

A career diplomat, he was most recently Joint Secretary to the British-Irish Secretariat in Belfast, Northern Ireland (2014-17). Prior to that, he was Ambassador of Ireland to Mozambique, Angola and Botswana (2010-14), and has also served abroad in Mexico, Spain and Greece.

At headquarters, Ruairí has worked on Northern Ireland, Western Balkans, Humanitarian Aid, and EU issues. He has also worked in the Irish Department of Finance.

Ruairí has a Master of Arts (MA) in Public Administration (IPA) and a Master of Arts (MA) in English (UCD).