Fine Gael's Mairead McGuinness Received €800k in EU Expenses for Family-Owned Office

In her 16 years as an MEP, Mairead McGuinness received over €800,000 in unvouched 'general allowance' payments. She claimed expenses for office rent and other costs using family property in Co Meath as her constituency office. Her claims were within European Parliament rules but are viewed by some in Fine Gael as a potential issue in the upcoming presidential election campaign.

During most of her time as an MEP, McGuinness had her constituency office in a building next to her family home in Mentrim near Navan, which she and her husband own. The office was used for her political work and was publicly advertised as her constituency office. Her financial details as an MEP, including those related to the office, were regularly updated on her website.

McGuinness is expected to seek Fine Gael's candidacy for the presidential election. She has a background in journalism and served in the European Parliament's agriculture and rural development committee. She was also the first vice-president of the parliament before becoming the Republic's EU commissioner.

The general allowance for MEPs is not automatic and must be requested. McGuinness received monthly payments ranging from €3,700 to €4,950 during her time as an MEP. The allowance was used for constituency service and was managed in accordance with the rules.

Her spokesman clarified that the allowance was not used for personal gain, and no payments were made to McGuinness or her husband for the office building's use.