Mid-Ulster - MARTIN McGUINNESS

Martin Mc Guinness was born in Derry City in 1950. He became involved in the Civil Rights Movement in 1968 and joined Sinn Féin in 1970.

As Sinn Féin's Chief Negotiator he led the party's delegation throughout the political negotiations with the Irish, British and US Administrations which produced the Good Friday Agreement (GFA). Martin has also represented the Party in high level discussions with political leaders in Europe. He has been central to developing the Irish peace process.

Martin Mc Guinness was elected as a Sinn Féin Negotiator in the Forum elections in May 1996 and in 1997 as MP for Mid-Ulster and re-elected again in 2001, 2005 and 2010 with increased majorities. In 1998 he was also elected to the Assembly for Mid-Ulster and was appointed Minister for Education in November 1999 and widely acclaimed for his work.

Following the 2007 Assembly elections Martin along with Gerry Adams was involved in intensive negotiations which brought the DUP, led by Ian Paisley into the powersharing Executive and all-Ireland Institutions. For the past four years, Martin has held the position of joint First Minister, first with Ian Paisley and then Peter Robinson. It is the first administration of the GFA to complete its full mandate – a testament to Martin’s negotiating and administrative skills.

MID ULSTER

MARTIN McGUINNESS

32 Burn Road

Cookstown

Co. Tyrone

Email: martin.mcguiness@sinn-fein.ie