Fine Gael nominates Mairead McGuinness to become Vice-President of the EPP

Tonight, Tánaiste and Leader of Fine Gael, Simon Harris T.D. announced that Fine Gael has nominated former EU Commissioner and MEP Mairead McGuinness to serve as the next Vice-President of the European People’s Party (EPP).

Voting for the new EPP Presidency will take place at the EPP Congress in Valencia, Spain in April where Ms. McGuinness will be the Fine Gael candidate for the position of Vice-President.

Speaking at the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party tonight, Tánaiste Harris said, “Fine Gael is the party of Europe in Ireland. We are a proud member of the EPP, the most influential political block in EU decision-making. Fine Gael has a proud history of putting forward our best and most capable politicians for positions in Europe and there is no one more qualified for this influential role than Mairead McGuinness.

“Mairead has over two decades of experience and a proven track record of serving at the highest levels in the EU institutions. She most recently served with distinction as Ireland’s European Commissioner with responsibility for Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union. She served as an MEP from 2004 and rose to the position of First Vice-President of the European Parliament and was highly regarded as an effective MEP.

“Mairead has vast expertise in agricultural and trade issues from her work on Brexit in the European Parliament where she was the leading voice for not only Ireland but the entire European Union.

“Given current geopolitical instability, it is essential that we have a strong Irish voice at the highest levels of EU decision making. I look forward to supporting Mairead’s campaign by encouraging colleagues from across Europe to support her candidacy for the position of Vice-President this April at the EPP Congress.”

Following the announcement, Ms. McGuinness said, “I am honoured to receive this nomination from the Tánaiste. The EU faces significant uncertainty in an unstable world and our engagement with the EPP political family is never as important as it is today. Ireland’s voice at every level of the EU political infrastructure matters and I hope to bring a solid voice to the EPP Party based on my 20 years of work at EU level.”