Michelle Gildernew

Michelle Gildernew MP MLA
Minister Gildernew in 2007
Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development
In office 8 May 2007 – 5 May 2011
Leader	Gerry Adams
Preceded by	Bríd Rodgers
Succeeded by	Michelle O'Neill
Member of Parliament for Fermanagh and South Tyrone
Incumbent
Assumed office 7 June 2001
Preceded by	Ken Maginnis
Majority	4 (0.01%)
Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for Fermanagh and South Tyrone
Incumbent
Assumed office 25 June 1998
Preceded by	Office Created
Majority	7,026
Personal details
Born	28 March 1970 (1970-03-28) Dungannon, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland
Nationality	Irish
Political party	Sinn Féin
Spouse(s)	Jimmy Taggart
Alma mater	University of Ulster
Religion	Roman Catholicism
Website	Michelle Gildernew MP MLA

Michelle Gildernew (born 28 March 1970) is an Irish republican Sinn Féin politician and former Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development in the Northern Ireland Executive. Gildernew has been the Member of Parliament for the Fermanagh and South Tyrone constituency since 2001 and has been a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for the Fermanagh and South Tyrone constituency since 25 June 1998.

Gildernew has been a member of the Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle (National Executive) and is the party's spokeswoman on equality and housing and has served on the Equality sub-committee and the Women's Forum. In the 2007-2011 Assembly she served as Vice Chair of the Committee of Social Development and was a member of the Committee of the Centre as well as statutory and ad hoc committees. Gildernew's family were leading figures in the civil rights campaign in the 1960s including events in Caledon, county Tyrone in 1968.

Education and Background

Born in Dungannon, Gildernew attended St Catherine's College Armagh and later the University of Ulster, Coleraine. After graduating from university Michelle travelled extensively in Europe, the United States, and Australia, where she worked for a year. Michelle is married to Jimmy and is the mother of two boys - Emmet and Eunan, and one girl - Aoise who was born in October 2008. Michelle is one of a family of 10 from a small family farm in county Tyrone.

Political career

Early Political Career

On her return in 1996 she was the second placed candidate for Sinn Féin in the Forum elections for Fermanagh and South Tyrone but was unsuccessful. In 1997 she was appointed Sinn Féin representative to London. She was elected MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone in the 1998 Assembly elections and retained her seat in the 2003 and 2007 elections. While in London she was part of the first Sinn Féin delegation to Downing Street in December 1997.

Election to Westminister

Gildernew was elected to Parliament in the 2001 election, defeating the Ulster Unionist candidate by just 53 votes. In 2005, Gildernew was re-elected with an increased majority of 4,582 votes. In the 2010 election, Gildernew held her seat with the smallest majority, just four votes. The Democratic Unionists, Ulster Conservatives and Unionists, and Traditional Unionist Voice all chose not to stand candidates, giving independent Unionist Rodney Connor a free run. Gildernew received 21,304 votes to Connor's 21,300, with the Social Democratic and Labour Party's vote halved with Fearghal McKinney trailing with 3,574 votes. According to The Times Guide to the House of Commons, she is popular across the sectarian divide in one of Northern Ireland's most polarised constituencies. Like all Sinn Féin MPs, Gildernew follows a policy of abstentionism and does not take her seat in the Westminster Parliament.

Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development

During her time as Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Gildernew has dealt with epidemics such as the outbreak of bluetongue disease. She has also increased cross-border co-operation with the Republic of Ireland on farming issues.

Candidate in the 2011 Irish Presidential Election

It was reported in the Belfast Telegraph that she would be a possible candidate in the 2011 Irish Presidential election.

Personal Life

Michelle has a particular interest in the Irish culture. She is a member of Aghaloo GAA club in County Tyrone, enjoys traditional music and is a speaker and supporter of the Irish language. Gildernew has said that she enjoys spending time with her young family and her friends. Gildernew has also stated that she enjoys cooking and partaking in a wide range of outdoor activities.

Michelle is a keen Republican activist and a defender and supporter of women's and mothers' rights.

References

Northern Ireland Assembly
Preceded by New creation	MLA for Fermanagh & South Tyrone 1998 -	Succeeded by Incumbent
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Ken Maginnis	Member of Parliament for Fermanagh and South Tyrone 2001–present	Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by Office suspended	Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development 2007 - 2011	Succeeded by Michelle O'Neill