About: Mairead McGuinness

‘Imperfect but real solution’: Brussels weathers backlash over gas and nuclear
The European Commission on Wednesday (2 February) defied angry dissent from EU governments and protests from green campaigners to give a sustainable finance label to investments in both gas and nuclear power.
Investments, Climate, Stability: Goals of European Commission’s Solvency II proposal
With a proposal to reform the Solvency II directive, the European Commission aims to make the insurance industry an ally in achieving the Commission's political priorities.
Bigger capital requirements hang over EU insurance sector in Solvency review
EU regulators and the insurance sector disagree over whether the review of the rules for the industry (Solvency II) should include higher capital requirements to deal with risks of interest rate changes, which insurers say would mean less money to support recovery.
Commission prepares ground for ‘ambitious’ sustainable finance strategy
The European Commission will present in early 2021 an “ambitious” sustainable finance strategy to mobilise the private investment needed to meet the EU’s climate targets.
Commission eyes new proposal to unblock deposit insurance scheme
The European Commission is considering tabling a new proposal on the European Deposit Insurance Scheme (EDIS) in a bid to break the long-running deadlock and complete the banking union, a Commission official has said.
Finance: becoming green while in the red
Money talks, but it also needs to listen: listen to the demand for change for a financial system that takes account of non-financial issues, from climate change to social inclusion, writes Commissioner Mairead McGuinness.
Tweets of the Week: Quarantined VDL, Barless Brussels, Happy Commissioner Reshuffle
Ursula Von der Leyen is all on her own, Brussels becomes a booze-free zone and the reshuffled Commission is what we’d already known.
McGuinness wants ‘full investigation’ into Wirecard scandal
The Commissioner-designate for financial services, Ireland's Mairead McGuinness, promised on Friday (2 October) a “full investigation” into the Wirecard fraud that has thoroughly shaken up Germany, to see why supervision failed.
Dombrovskis and McGuinness hearings scheduled for 12 October
Commissioners-designate Valdis Dombrovskis and Mairead McGuinness will face their European Parliament hearings to take over Trade and Financial Services on 12 October, with EU lawmakers to decide on their nominations the following week.
Tweets of the Week: Brexitshambles, Mairead McGuinness and Single Seat Debate
European Commission gets very minor reshuffle, Brexit deal law-breaking causes major kerfuffle and Strasbourg v Brussels in fresh Parliament scuffle.
Von der Leyen proposes McGuinness as financial services Commissioner
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed on Tuesday (8 September) Ireland's Mairead McGuinness to become financial services Commissioner, taking over from executive vice-president Valdis Dombrovskis, who will assume the trade portfolio vacated by Phil Hogan.
Ireland nominates top MEP, former EIB banker as Commissioner picks
The Irish government confirmed on Friday (4 September) its two nominees for the empty spot at the European Commission: seasoned MEP Mairead McGuinness and former European Investment Bank Vice-President Andrew McDowell are officially in line for the post.
Seeking answers to euroscepticism
The prospect of Eurosceptic parties performing strongly in European and national elections has exorcised EU officials and pro-Europeans for the last 15 years. Britain’s impending departure from the bloc, coupled with the fact that the slow countdown to the next European elections in May 2019 is now underway, is focusing minds on how to avoid a repeat.
Socialists declare end to EU institution grand coalition
The European Parliament grand coalition between the right-wing European People’s Party (EPP) and the Socialist and Democrats (S&D group) is over and cannot be re-established, said its chief, Gianni Pittella, today (13 December) during a news conference in Strasbourg.
Sylvie Goulard takes on male-dominated establishment in EP presidency race
The French liberal MEP will have to convince her group to nominate her, rather than ALDE group leader Guy Verhofstad. Since 1979, 87% of the European Parliament's presidents have been men. EURACTIV France reports.
EPP candidates line up to replace Schulz
Five centre-right candidates are in the running to become the next president of the European Parliament. But after five years in the job, Martin Schulz has no intention of stepping down. EURACTIV France reports. VideoPromoted content

Cardiovascular Disease in Europe
“Cholesterol is a global problem and a very big risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It causes half the heart attacks that happen,” says Jules Payne, Chief Executive at Heart UK.
McGuinness MEP: ‘The high cost of poor cardiovascular health is enormous’
The EU should better coordinate research on cardivascular disease and take action on industrial trans fatty acids, says Mairead McGuinness.
Physical activity touted as medicine for mental illness
SPECIAL REPORT / A new report on physical activity in Europe underlines the positive impact of exercise for the body and the mind.
MEP McGuinness: There’s no clear EU policy response to inactivity
SPECIAL REPORT / There is no clear EU policy response to inactivity, as it cuts across a number of policy areas from education to health to workplace to environment, says Mairead McGuinness.