Jim Higgins was elected as a Member of the European Parliament in the European Elections on 11 June 2004. He was re-elected on June 9, 2009.

Jim is a former community school teacher and former Dáil Deputy and Senator.

He was Fine Gael's Front Bench Spokesperson on Public Enterprise and Tourism from 15th February 2001 to May 2002

He was the Front Bench Spokesperson on Public Enterprise from June 2000 to February 2001. He was Front Bench Spokesperson on Justice, Equality and Law Reform 1997-2000. He was first elected to the Dáil in 1987 having contested the General Elections of June 1981, February and November 1982.
He was Minister of State at the Department of Finance from February to May of 1995 and Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Department of Defence and Government Chief Whip from May 1995-1997. Jim was the Fine Gael spokesperson on Education 1990-1994, Justice Equality and Law Reform 1987.

He was a Senator, Labour Panel 1983-1987, a Taoiseach's Nominee June 1981 to February 1982. He was the Chairman of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party 1994-1995.

Jim is former member of Mayo County Council (1979-1995), and former Vice Chairman of the Mayo County Vocational Educational Committee.

He has twice been named Best Individual Speaker, Junior Chamber Ireland 1978 and 1979 and has been captain of the International Tripartite Debating Team.

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