26 Facts About Regina Doherty

Regina Doherty is an Irish Fine Gael politician who is a Member of the European Parliament for the Dublin constituency since the 2024 European Parliament election.

Regina Doherty was a Teachta Dala for the Meath East constituency from 2011 to 2020.

Regina Doherty was the Leader of Fine Gael in the Seanad from 2020 to 2024, serving as leader of the Seanad from 2020 to 2022 and Deputy leader of the Seanad from 2022 to 2024.

Regina Doherty served as Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection from 2017 to 2020 and Government Chief Whip from 2016 to 2017.

In 2018 Doherty completed an Advanced Diploma in Corporate, White-Collar and Regulatory Crime, Law in King's Inns.

In 2020 Regina Doherty completed a Post Graduate Fintech in Financial Innovation, Business in Dublin City University.

Regina Doherty was a member of the Meath County Council for the Dunshaughlin local electoral area from 2009 to 2011.

Regina Doherty was a member of the Oireachtas committees for Health, Finance and the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement during the 31st Dail.

Regina Doherty was a member of the Constitutional Convention, and was the Chairperson of the Fine Gael committee for health and children.

Regina Doherty was re-elected to the Dail at the 2016 general election.

Regina Doherty was appointed to the new Dail reform committee on 22 March 2016.

On 17 July 2016, it was reported in The Times that Regina Doherty had provided a character reference to a man who had defrauded revenue.

Regina Doherty provided references to the local district court and refused to apologise saying she "would do it again".

In July 2017, Regina Doherty confirmed that she had lodged a complaint with the Garda Siochana against political blogger and academic Catherine Kelly.

In January 2018, Regina Doherty announced the launch of the consultation process under the review of the Gender Recognition Act 2015, to further expand the Gender Recognition Act to include those under 18 and non-binary people.

In May 2018, Regina Doherty participated in the Opening Plenary Session - Listening Today for Better Social Policies Tomorrow, in the OECD Policy forum in Canada.

In January 2019, Regina Doherty briefed the Irish Cabinet, warning that while her department was well fixed to pass emergency legislation to continue social welfare payments in the event of Brexit, the UK may not be.

Also in January 2019, Regina Doherty was appointed director of elections for Fine Gael for the 2019 European elections.

On 19 March 2020, Regina Doherty announced that all welfare would be distributed each fortnight instead of the traditional weekly, so as to limit the number of people gathering in post offices.

In December 2021, Regina Doherty opposed a motion calling on the government to support a TRIPS waiver on COVID-19 vaccine technology.

Regina Doherty withdrew her counter-motion following opposition from within the government coalition.

At the 2020 general election, Regina Doherty was defeated in Meath East, losing to Darren O'Rourke of Sinn Fein, while her Fine Gael colleague Helen McEntee was re-elected.

Regina Doherty's role is to direct government business in the Seanad.

In September 2020, it was announced that Regina Doherty would seek Fine Gael's nomination to contest the next general election in the Dublin Fingal constituency.

In December 2023, Regina Doherty announced her intention to seek her party's nomination to run for the 2024 European Parliament election in the Dublin constituency.

The election was held on 7 June 2024, and Regina Doherty was elected, coming second on the first count, though taking the first seat.