This site has been archived on (2014/11/01)
01/11/14
Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science

Máire Geoghegan-Quinn's Curriculum Vitae

Portrait of Máire Geoghegan-Quinn © European Union, 2010

Personal details

  • Irish.
  • Born September 5, 1950 in Galway, Ireland
  • Married.
  • 2 children.

Political career

  • 1994 -1997: Member of Dáil Éireann and Opposition Spokesperson on Health.
  • 1993 -1994: Minister for Justice. Member of the Irish Government team which negotiated the Joint Declaration of December 1993, by the British and Irish Governments, on Peace and Reconciliation in Ireland.
  • 1992: Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications.
  • 1991 -1992: Member of Dáil Éireann.
  • 1987 - 1991: Minister for European Affairs. Chaired inter-departmental Cttee. on EU policy with responsibility for co-ordinating Ireland's EU Presidency in 1990. During the Presidency chaired the Budget, Telecommunications, Culture and Development Councils.
  • 1982 - 1987: Member of Dáil Éireann. Chairwoman of 1st Joint Parliamentary Cttee. on Women's Rights and Member of Parliamentary Cttee. on Marital Breakdown.
  • 1982: Minister of State for Education.
  • 1981 - 1982: Member of Dáil Éireann.
  • 1979 - 1981: Minister for the Gaeltacht (1st woman Cabinet Minister since the foundation of the State).
  • 1977 - 1979: Minister of State for Commerce.
  • 1975 - 1977: Member of Dáil Éireann (Irish Parliament).

Professional career

  • 1970 -1975: Teacher
  • 1997 - 2000: Columnist with "The Irish Times" newspaper; TV presenter; Part-time business consultant; Non-executive director Aer Lingus; Non-executive director Ryan Hotels.
  • 2000 - 2010: Member of the European Court of Auditors.

Other activities

  • Former Member of the Governing authority of the National University of Ireland Galway.
  • 1996: Publication "The Green Diamond".