Fine Gael has nominated Mairead McGuinness to run for president

Former European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness has been nominated by Fine Gael to run for the presidential election.

Less than a week ago, former president of the GAA and current Fine Gael MEP Seán Kelly declared himself as a non-runner in the presidential race.

McGuinness served as the European Commissioner for Financial Stability, Financial Services and the Capital Markets Union from October 2020 to November 2024.

She served as an MEP from 2004 up until 2020 and held the role of first vice president of the European Parliament.

She began her career in journalism in RTÉ and worked as an agri print journalist with the Irish Farmers Journal. She was also the lead anchor for RTÉ’s Ear to the Ground, covering issues in the farming sector.

Graduate

Born in Drogheda, Co Louth, McGuinness went on to become the first female graduate of University College Dublin's bachelor of science degree in agricultural economics in 1980.

Her key responsibilities included ensuring the financial sector's stability, protecting savers and investors and promoting the capital markets union to diversify funding sources for companies.

Tánaiste and Fine Gael president Simon Harris said: “Mairead has secured the support of the parliamentary party and the wider Fine Gael organisation. I look forward to working with her over the coming months.

"Presidential elections are always an important point for the country. I believe Mairead possesses all the attributes to bring our nation together at this important time.”