Niall OBrolchain

Niall Ó Brolcháin (Male) is a researcher in the eGov unit at the Insight Centre for Data Analytics at NUI Galway (formerly DERI). Mr. Ó Brolcháin has over 20 years of experience in the ICT industry in software management, analysis, research, development and consultancy. He graduated in Business and Computer studies and holds a postgraduate diploma in Digital Media, Project Management and Marketing. He was a pioneer in the use of the World Wide Web and the Internet. He spent 10 years working in local and national Government in Ireland serving as Mayor of Galway City from 2006-07 and was a member of Seanad Eireann the upper house of the Irish Parliament until 2011 where he served as spokesperson on Transport, Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and was deputy Government whip. He also served as parliamentary secretary to the Irish Government. He has a keen interest in Transport, Energy, Heritage and the Environment and served as chair of Galway City's Environment Strategic Policy Committee. He was deputy chairperson on the Western River Basin District project as part of Ireland’s implementation of the Water Framework Directive. He has many years practical experience in policy development and has worked as an advisor to the Irish Government on its Open Data policy. He is part of the Irish Smart Cities Forum and is involved with the Brussels based Open Agile Smart Cities (OASC) Network.