Jim Higgins

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See also Jim Higgins (British politician) for the Trotskyist activist.

Jim Higgins (born 4 May 1945 in Ballyhaunis, County Mayo) is an Irish politician who has served as a member of Seanad Éireann, Dáil Éireann and the European Parliament.

He was educated at St Jarlath's College, Tuam and at University College Galway. Higgins worked as a Community School teacher before becoming involved in local politics as a member of Mayo County Council in 1979. He first ran for Dáil Éireann in the 1981 general election, but was unsuccessful. However, he was one of Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald's nominees to the 15th Seanad. He lost his Seanad seat in 1982 but was elected to Seanad Éireann by the Labour Panel 1983, remaining in the Upper House until 1987 as a member of the 17th Seanad. He was successful in the 1987 general election, becoming a Fine Gael TD.

In 1994 the Rainbow Coalition came to power and Higgins was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Finance. The following year he became Minister of State at the Departments of the Taoiseach and Defence, as well as Chief Whip of the government. He remained in that position until 1997. Higgins, like many of his Fine Gael colleagues at the 2002 general election, he failed to be elected for his Mayo constituency. However, he was elected to Seanad Éireann by the Labour Panel, becoming a member of the 22nd Seanad. In 2004 Higgins was elected to the European Parliament as a Fine Gael MEP for the North-West region.

Preceded by Phil Hogan	Minister of State at the Department of Finance Feb 1995–May 1995	Succeeded by Hugh Coveney
Preceded by Seán Barrett	Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Government Chief Whip) 1995-1997	Succeeded by Séamus Brennan
Preceded by Seán Barrett	Minister of State at the Department of Defence 1995-1997	Succeeded by Séamus Brennan