Born in Dublin on 24 February 1961; Bachelor of Arts from the University of Washington (1983); Masters in Business Studies, University College Dublin (1991); Diploma in Applied Finance Law, Law Society of Ireland (2003). Secretary-General, Department of Finance (2010-2012); Under-Secretary-General, Department of Finance (2006-2010).
Under-Secretary, fiscal policy, Department of Finance (2005-2006); Under-Secretary, Banking Division, International Relations and Financial Services, Department of Finance (2001-2005); Head of the Central Policy Unit for Freedom of Information and Ethics, Department of Finance (1999-2001); Head of Administrative Budgets, Department of Finance (1998-1999); First Assistant, Public Service Pension Scheme, Department of Finance (1996-1998); First Assistant, Monetary Policy and Exchange Rates Unit, Department of Finance (1989-1996); administrative officer, treatment of public domestic debt (assistant bond broker), Department of Finance (1988-1989); Administrative Head, public service employment conditions, Department of Finance/Civil Service (1986-1988); Administrative Head, wage policy, Department of the Civil Service (1984-1986). In addition to the above-mentioned positions, Mr Cardiff has also held a number of other posts in recent years: Member of the Commission of the Central Bank of Ireland; Deputy Director and Director on the Board of Directors of the European Investment Bank; chairman and member of the Fiscal Advisory Group within the Irish Government; Irish representative to the European Code of Conduct Group on taxation; and member and substitute member of the EU Financial Services Committee. Member of the European Court of Auditors from 1 May 2012 to 28 February 2018: Member in Chamber I “Sustainable use of natural resources”, in the CAED Chamber “Coordination, evaluation, assurance and development”, where he was responsible for audit development and review, and in Chamber IV – “Regulation of markets and competitive economy”.