The Fine Gael’s Mairead McGuinness has announced she is running for the Presidency of the European Parliament.

The current president Martin Schultz is said to be considering running for a third term.

The Midlands North-West MEP, who is currently a vice-president of the body, has formally put her name forward today.

Ms McGuinness says she is glad to be competing for the job.

She said: "I’m pleased to say that I have decided to formally put my name forward as a candidate for the group, the EPP.

"The decision will not be taken by our group until December and then in January we vote as a plenary for who is to be the speaker or the president of the house."