Senator Regina Doherty has been selected by Fine Gael to run in the Dublin constituency in the European Elections.

FG choose Doherty for European election run

John Donohoe

Published: Wed 21 Feb 2024, 12:14 AM

Last updated: Wed 21 Feb 2024, 12:15 AM

Former Meath TD and Government Minister, Regina Dohertry, who is currently a member of Seanad Eireann, was selected to represent the Fine Gael party in the Dublin constituency in June’s European Elections.

Chaired by Fine Gael’s European Director of Elections, Minister Simon Coveney, the selection convention took place at Dublin City University’s St Patrick’s Campus with more than 600 in attendance, and was contested by Minister Josepha Madigan and Senators Regina Doherty and Barry Ward.

Senator Regina Doherty said: “It is an honour to be asked by my party members to represent Fine Gael and try to retain a seat in the constituency at the June European elections. I will be working now to ensure we hold the MEP seat won by Frances Fitzgerald at the 2019 European Elections. Frances has repeatedly demonstrated the influential role she holds in the European Parliament and I intend to build on her work.

“Decisions made in Brussels and Strasbourg affect everyone’s lives in Dublin," the Ratoath resident added. “Fine Gael is a pro-European party with a proud record. Due to international events, there are many challenges facing this country.

She continued: “I want to ensure that Dublin’s voice – the capital of a proud nation – is heard loudly within the European Parliament and to continue the good work of all the Fine Gael MEPs. My focus now is on campaigning hard and winning a seat in the Dublin constituency for Fine Gael.”

A native of north Dublin living with her family in Ratoath, Regina Doherty is Deputy Leader of Seanad Éireann, leader of the Fine Gael Group in the Seanad, and spokesperson on Transport. She served as Leader of the House from June 2020 to December 2022. She was first elected to Dáil Eireann in February 2011, having served as a county councillor on Meath County Council since 2009. She served as Government Chief Whip from 2016 to 2017 and Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection from 2017 to 2020. She had moved her base from Meath to Fingal constituency after the last general election.