Máire Geoghegan-Quinn

Máire Geoghegan-Quinn
Geoghegan-Quinn in 2009
European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science
In office
9 February 2010 – 1 November 2014
PresidentJosé Manuel Barroso
Preceded byJanez Potočnik (Science and Research)
Succeeded byCarlos Moedas (Research, Science and Innovation)
Member of the European Court of Auditors
In office
1 March 2000 – 9 February 2010
Preceded byBarry Desmond
Succeeded byEoin O'Shea
Minister for Equality and Law Reform
In office
18 November 1994 – 15 December 1994
TaoiseachAlbert Reynolds
Preceded byMervyn Taylor
Succeeded byMervyn Taylor
Minister for Justice
In office
4 January 1993 – 15 December 1994
TaoiseachAlbert Reynolds
Preceded byPádraig Flynn
Succeeded byNora Owen
Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications
In office
11 February 1992 – 12 January 1993
TaoiseachAlbert Reynolds
Preceded bySéamus Brennan
Succeeded byCharlie McCreevy
Minister of State
1987–1991Taoiseach
Mar.–Dec. 1982Education
Minister for the Gaeltacht
In office
11 December 1979 – 30 June 1981
TaoiseachCharles Haughey
Preceded byDenis Gallagher
Succeeded byPaddy O'Toole
Minister of State
1978–1979Industry, Commerce and Energy
Parliamentary Secretary
1977–1978Industry and Commerce
Teachta Dála
In office
March 1975 – June 1997
ConstituencyGalway West
Personal details
BornMáire Geoghegan
(1950-09-05) 5 September 1950
PartyFianna Fáil
Spouse
John Quinn
(m. 1988)
Children2
Parent
EducationTourmakeady College
Alma materCarysfort College

Máire Geoghegan-Quinn (/ˈmɑːrə ˈɡɡən .../; née Geoghegan; born 5 September 1950) is an Irish former Fianna Fáil politician who served as a European Commissioner from 2010 to 2014, and as a cabinet minister in various portfolios at times between 1979 and 1994. She was notable as the first female minister of state on her appointment in 1977, and as the first female cabinet minister since independence on her appointment in 1979. She served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for Galway West from 1975 to 1997.