ABOUT FRANCES
Frances Fitzgerald is an experienced and dedicated politician with a distinguished career in Ireland and Europe. With over 20 years of parliamentary experience, she has held some of the country’s highest offices, including Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) from 2016-2017, one of only four women ever to hold this position. She was Ireland’s first-ever Minister for Children & Youth Affairs and also held the positions of Minister for Justice & Equality and Minister for Business, Enterprise & Innovation. She also served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for Dubin 2019-2024. She is a globally recognised leader and advocate for equality and is currently representing the EU on the G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council (GEAC) since 2024.
She is widely recognized as a consistent advocate through her focus and work on children's rights, justice reform, gender equality, economic policy and social justice across Ireland and Europe. She is known for strong leadership, legislative expertise, and commitment to progressive reform. Before her election to the Dáil (Irish Parliament), Frances was Chair of the National Women’s Council of Ireland (1988-1992) and Vice President of the European Women’s Lobby.
Frances Fitzgerald’s career is marked by her contribution to public service as a social worker, reforming minister, Tánaiste and European Leader. Her legacy has involved Constitutional Change, Legislative and Leadership Roles.
From 2019 to 2024, Frances served as a Member of the European Parliament, where she was an influential voice on the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, the Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee, and the Development Committee (DEVE). She also served on the committee on the Use of Pegasus and equivalent surveillance spyware (PEGA). Frances was also a representative delegate for the European parliament for EU/USA and the EU/China relations. As an MEP, she led the first ever groundbreaking EU Directive on Violence Against Women. Her leadership on equality in Europe led to her appointment to the G7’s Gender Equality Advisory Council (GEAC). Frances was elected Vice Chair of the European Peoples Party (EPP) during her term in the European Parliament and was also the EPP Coordinator of the Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee (FEMM).
In 2024, she further extended her advocacy work by becoming the first-ever ambassador for Ruhama, an organisation that supports women affected by prostitution and sex trafficking. Frances was Chairperson of the National Women’s Council 1988-1992, a member of the commission on the status of Women 1989-1992 and previously was Chairperson of the Women’s Political Association and a vice president of the European Women’s Lobby. She held the first National Conference on Women in Decision Making and as Chairperson of the NWC, introduced the concept of equality proofing to Ireland. She was a member of the Convention on the Constitution 2013 -2014.
Frances graduated for UCD with a B.Sc. and form the London School of Economics with a MSc in Social Administration and Social Work.
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Political Record
Member of the G7, Gender Equality Advisory Council (GEAC)
Appointed by the President of the European Commission
2024 – Present
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Senior Advisor to Teneo
2024 – Present
Ambassador Ruhama
2024 – Present
Chair Home & Community Care Ireland (HCCI)
2024 – Present
Member of the European Parliament (MEP)
Constituency: Dublin
Party: Fine Gael (EPP Group)
2019 – 2024
- Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the European Parliament - Member of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) - Member on the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON)
Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister)
Government of Ireland
2016 – 2017 - Supported implementation of national economic and social policy incl response to Brexit
Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation
2017
- Promoted entrepreneurship and SME growth - Led initiatives to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) - Advocated for gender diversity in corporate leadership
- She led International Trade Missions
Minister for Justice and Equality
2014 – 2017
- She oversaw a comprehensive series of legislative reforms and completed 28 Acts.
- She was the minister responsible for the Marriage Equality Referendum.
- Spearheaded comprehensive policing and justice reforms - Oversaw modernization of An Garda Síochána (Irish police force) - Introduced progressive equality and anti-discrimination legislation
Minister for Children and Youth Affairs
2011 – 2014
-She established the Department of Children in 2011
- First-ever holder of this portfolio - Delivered the first referendum on children’s rights in Ireland - Established the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) - Advocated for child protection and early education and childcare reform
Teachta Dála (TD) for Dublin Bay South & Dublin Mid-West
Dublin Bay South 1992 – 2002, Dublin Mid-West 2011 – 2017
- Elected to Dáil Éireann (Irish Parliament) - Served on various parliamentary committees related to health, social affairs & public accounts
Senator and Leader of the Opposition
2007 – 2011
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Major Legislative and Policy Achievements
Children’s Rights & Youth Reform
- Led the 2012 Children’s Rights Referendum, introducing Article 42A to the Irish Constitution. - Launched the 'Children First' guidance (2011) and enacted the Children First Act (2015). - Established Tusla (Child and Family Agency) in 2014. - Introduced the Children and Family Relationships Act (2015), expanding definitions of family and guardianship, expanding parental and guardianship rights.
Justice Reform & Social Equality
- Introduced 28 pieces of justice legislation between 2014–2017 as Minister for Justice. - Authored the Domestic Violence Act, including legal recognition of coercive control.
- Enacted the Sexual Offences Act 2017
-She expanded protections for victims in line with the EU Victims Directive.
- Oversaw establishment of the Policing Authority and reform of An Garda Siochana (AGS)
Gender Equality & European Advocacy
- Launched Ireland’s first national Strategy for Women and Girls. - As MEP, served on the FEMM Committee and was the coordinator for the EPP
- She was rapporteur and played leading role on the first ever directive on Violence Against Women Directive which was passed in 2024
- She championed equal pay, care, work-life balance reforms and anti-discrimination measures
LGBTQI+ and Family Law Advocacy
- Spearheaded the Marriage Equality referendum (2015) and oversaw its implementation as Minister for Justice. - Advocated for recognition of same-sex parental rights across EU member states. - Supported legislative reforms that expanded protections and rights for LGBTQI+ families.
Social Reform and Civic Contributions
- Advocated for child welfare and led foundational reforms in child and family services. - Championed civil rights and equality across gender, socioeconomic status, and age demographics. - Recognized across Europe for aligning Irish law with European values of human rights and dignity.
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Formal Awards
15/10/2025 - The Praeses Elit Award – Dublin University Law Society
27/09/2025 - Outstanding Woman of Impact Award - Fine Gael Women’s Network
08/05/2025 - Emily Winifred Dickson Award – Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI)
21/06/2024 - Officer de la Legion d’honneur - Ordre national de la Legion d’honneur, France,
01/03/2024 - European Values Champion of the Mandate – The Parliament Magazine MEP Awards
2024 - EPP Group Merit Medal & Certificate
2024 - Public Life Award - Irish Tatler & Davy Woman of the year Award
2024 - Women of Vision Award 2024 – Villa Maria Cork
2017 - James Joyce Award & Honorary Fellowship – University College Dublin (L&H Society)
2016 - Political Figure of the Year 2016 – Gala’s
2015 - Public Life Award - Irish Tatler Women of the Year Awards
1989 - Women of Europe Award – European Women’s Lobby
The Praeses Elit Award – Dublin University Law Society
Date: 15 October 2025 -Awarded by This award was founded by Mary Robinson, former president granted to those who have been a source of inspiration for young people and who have advocated for a fairer and just world.
Outstanding Woman of Impact Award - Fine Gael Women’s Network
Date: 27 September 2025 -Awarded by Fine Gael Women’s Network as a long time champion of Women’s rights.
Emily Winifred Dickson Award – Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI)
Date: 8 May 2025 Awarded for trailblazing leadership in women’s rights and political participation at national and European levels.
-Conferred by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI).
-Named after Emily Winfred Dickinson, the first female fellow of the RCSI.
-Celebrates women leaders who have made outstanding contributions in their fields.
-Awarded to Frances Fitzgerald for advancing women's equality and justice in Ireland and across Europe.
Officer de la Legion d’honneur – (Officer) - Ordre national de la Legion d’honneur, France, President Macron
Date: 21 June 2024 - Awarded by President Emmanual Macron in recognition of her work on Women’s and Children’s rights and her unwavering commitment to European democracy.
European Values Champion of the Mandate – The Parliament Magazine MEP Awards
Date: March 2024 Jointly awarded for advancing European values such as equality, democracy, and civic integrity.
-Awarded by the Parliament Magazine at the MEP Awards.
-Recognised for leadership in negotiating the EU Directive on Combating Violence Against Women. Highlighted as one of the flagship achievements of the 2019-2024 mandate.
These awards underline Frances Fitzgerald's dual legacy as a legislator and an advocate for equality. Recognition by her peers in Brussels (European Values Champion), The French President (Officer de la Legion d’honneur, President Macron), Recognition at home in Ireland (Emily Winfred Dickinson Award, RCSI), (The Praeses Elit Award, Dublin University Law Society), (James Joyce Award & Honorary Fellowship, University College Dublin (L&H Society) and many other political and public life awards. Together they highlight her impact as one of Ireland’s most influential female legislators.
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