Senator Alice-Mary Higgins
Born and raised in Galway, Alice-Mary Higgins has over two decades of experience in policy, advocacy and legislation across the areas of equality, environment, human rights and social inclusion.
Alice-Mary graduated from UCD in 1996 with a degree in English and Philosophy. She holds an MPhil in Theatre and Cultural Studies (TCD) and is a Fullbright Scholar in the Humanities. In 2002 she graduated from the New School in New York with a Masters Degree in Sociology.
Prior to her Seanad election, Alice-Mary worked as policy coordinator at the National Women's Council of Ireland. Here her work focused on a range of gender equality issues – including the pension and pay gap, childcare and greater representation of women in all areas of national life. Alice-Mary also worked at Trócaire, Comhlámh, the Older and Bolder Alliance and as a teacher.
In 2016 Alice-Mary was elected to Seanad Éireann, the first woman in thirty-five years elected to the NUI panel. She was re-elected in 2020.
An advocate for social and economic equality all her adult life, Alice-Mary brings passion, thought and care to her work as a Senator.
An active and effective legislator, she has won over 70 changes to law and sponsored 20 Bills including the Mandate for Nature Bill, Adequate Minimum Wage Bill, Arms Embargo Bill and Occupied Territories Bill.
Alice-Mary leads the Seanad Civil Engagement Group, working with independent Senators Frances Black, Lynn Ruane and Eileen Flynn to strengthen links between civil society and politics. She believes every citizen should have a vote in Seanad elections.
In 2020, Miriam Lord of the Irish Times chose Alice-Mary as ‘Senator of the Year’ for “her tireless approach, collegial outlook, level of research, grasp of detail, participation in debates and undimmed enthusiasm for the job”.
Alice-Mary is a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Climate Action, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform and the Select Committee on Scurtiny of Draft-EU Statutory Instruments.
She is a former member of the Committee on Disability Matters, the Committee on Gender Equality and the Committee on Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
On the Oireachtas Climate Committee, Alice-Mary led scrutiny of the Climate Act, strengthening its targets and ambition and has consistently championed the protection of biodiversity. She will continue to work for faster and fairer climate action and a just transition for people and planet.
Alice-Mary co- sponsored the Occupied Territories Bill and is demanding its immediate enactment. She introduced the Arms Embargo Bill to the Seanad which seeks to block the transport of weapons to Israel through Ireland. Alice-Mary will continue to champion Irish neutrality and defend human rights at home and abroad.
Alice-Mary offers commitment, experience, ideas and a track record of driving change.
For information on the Bills Alice-Mary has sponsored and the amendments won see:
Legislation - Senator Alice Mary Higgins
To read media reports of Alice-Mary's work see: