Mairead McGuinness was elected to the European Parliament, for the East constituency, in the European elections on 11 June 2004 and re-elected on June 7, 2009.

Mairead is a native of Ardee, Co. Louth, from a strong Fine Gael family.  Married to Tom Duff, they have four children, twins Orlaith and James aged 13, Áine aged 10 and Cathal aged 5.  They live near Drumconrath, Co. Meath.

Mairead was educated locally at the Convent of Mercy National School and Ardee Community School.  She studied Agricultural Economics at UCD, the first woman to qualify in the discipline.  She is remembered for her very lively contributions to the Agricultural Society, especially in her capacity as imaginative and creative recording secretary.

She began her career in journalism in RTÉ immediately after college. She worked initially as radio producer and later in research on the Late Late Show.  In recent times Mairead became well known as a presenter and key driving force behind the highly successful Ear to the Ground series.

In print journalism she was the highly respected editor of the Farming Independent for seven years.  Leading a strong team, she positioned this paper as the major independent voice in the agricultural sector.

Mairead served two terms as Chairperson of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists and successfully developed the guild as an important network for those in food and farming communications.

Mairead also chaired the Consumer Liaison panel set up by the Minister for Agriculture and Food.  This panel spearheaded important changes in food labelling and traceability, initiatives which Mairead has continued to champion as a Member of the European Parliament's Agriculture and Rural Development Committee.

Mairead was named Magill Magazine MEP of the Year in 2006, for putting in a consistently strong performance in a new and challenging role in Europe.