Elected as a Fine Gael MEP for the Midlands North-West in 2019, Maria sits on Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), the Committee on Culture and Education (CULT), and the Delegation for relations with the United States (D-US). Maria is also a substitute on the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE). Her current work is focused on topics such as mental health, women’s rights, equality, protection of journalists, equality, education & LGBTQ+ rights amongst others. She always takes stances on policy and legislation that align with her values of inclusion, equality, and respect.

Maria was born in Boston, USA, but the village of Shrule, Co. Mayo has been home for her since 1994. She graduated from Griffith College Dublin with a B.A. in Journalism and Visual Media in 2009 and went on to a career in television production and creative management, working in Dublin, New York and Philadelphia. Maria won the Rose of Tralee in 2014 as the Philadelphia Rose.