Irishwoman Máire Geoghegan-Quinn has been named European Commissioner for Research and Innovation by Commission President José Manuel Barroso. She replaces Janez Potocnik, who has been named European Commissioner for Environment, in this charge

Born in Carna, County Galway in Ireland in 1950, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn entered the Irish Parliament (the Dáil Éireann) in 1975, representing the Galway West constituency which had been held by her father until his death that year.

In 1979, she became the first woman cabinet minister since the foundation of the Irish state when she was appointed to the post of Minister for the Gaeltacht. She became Minister of State for Education in 1982, and also chaired the first Parliamentary all-Party Committee on Women's Rights from 1982 until 1987.

From 1987 until 1991 she was Minister of State for European Affairs; during this period, she chaired the interdepartmental Committee on EU Policy which was responsible for coordinating the country's presidency of the Council of the EU in 1990. During the presidency, she chaired the Budget, Culture, Development, and Telecommunications Councils.

Mrs Geoghegan-Quinn was Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications from 1992 to 1993, and Minister for Justice from 1993 to 1994. She retired from politics in 1997, and embarked on a career in the private sector, holding down non-executive directorships at two major Irish companies, writing for the Irish Times newspaper and working as a broadcaster for an Irish-language television station.

The year 2000 saw Mrs Geoghegan-Quinn move to Luxemburg to take up a post at the European Court of Auditors, where she has been ever since.

J, has been given the Environment portfolio. Describing himself as 'very happy' with the new post, he said: 'Promoting sustainable devanez Potocnik, the current Commissioner for Science and Researchelopment in a world that is more and more interconnected and fragile has been at the heart of my work as a Science and Research Commissioner. It will be a pleasure to build on this experience in research, and to extend this work through environment policy.'

Mr Potocnik added that until the European Parliament approves his appointment as Environment Commissioner, he would remain 'fully devoted' to his responsibilities as Commissioner for Science and Research. The new 27-strong Commission includes 9 women. A number of new portfolios have been introduced: climate action, home affairs, justice, fundamental rights and citizenship.

Before they can officially take office, the Commissioners-designate must appear in individual hearings before the European Parliament. These are scheduled to take place in mid-January, and the final vote on the new Commission as a whole is due to be held on 26 January.