Emer Higgins, TD

Deputy Higgins served as a Councillor of South Dublin County Council from 2011-2020, representing the communities of Palmerstown, Lucan, Clondalkin, Newcastle, Saggart and Rathcoole and also spent 5 years working with Frances Fitzgerald MEP during her time as both a Senator and a Minister.

In 2021, Deputy Higgins introduced the Irish Corporate Governance (Gender Balance) Bill, which aims to ensure Irish companies achieve significant gender balance on their boards, fostering a more inclusive business environment. This Bill has received Government support and is now at Second Stage in Dáil Éireann.

Deputy Higgins is a strong advocate for women in education and business, having initiated the Women in Business Network with the Local Enterprise Office to aid women entrepreneurs. She has led the Fine Gael group on the Council and chaired the “Land-use, Planning and Transport” Strategic Policy Committee of South Dublin County Council.

Her work across various Oireachtas Committees, including Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Disability Matters, Public Petitions, and Special Committees Assisted Dying and International Surrogacy reflects her wide-ranging commitment to equality.