MAIREAD MCGUINNESS

UCD AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SCIENCE

Mairead McGuiness is receiving the Agriculture and Food Science award in recognition of her dedication and commitment to European agricultural development. Mairead was the first female graduate of UCD’s Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics in 1980. She has been Vice-President of the European Parliament since July 2014.

Mairead’s role as Vice-President includes overseeing the Parliament’s Information Policy, Press and Citizens Relations including the organisation of the Parliament’s information offices across all 28 Member States. As Vice-President, Mairead has responsibility for the Parliament’s scientific research body – STOA, which aims to bridge the gap between the scientific community and policy-makers. She also plays a leading role in the area of Children’s Rights as a Mediator in certain cases on behalf of the European Parliament.

Prior to becoming an MEP, Mairead was a well known journalist, broadcaster and commentator. Mairead is married to Tom Duff and the couple have four children, twins Orlaith and James, Áine and Cathal.