The Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness has been re-elected as one of the European Parliament's vice-presidents.
That means she will be second-in-command to the president of the parliament Antonio Tajani, who was elected on Tuesday.
In a vote Wednesday morning, the Midlands North-West MEP got a significant number of votes from her fellow MEPs - winning 466 votes out of 618.
The role will mean that Ms McGuinness will share some of the responsibilities of the president.
She is one of 14 new vice-presidents who can take over from Mr Tajani when needed.
And it will mean Ireland will hold a senior position in the parliament during the upcoming negotiations on Brexit.
Delighted to be elected first vice-president @europarl_EN! 466 votes out of valid poll of 618 members, over 75pc of valid poll @EPPGroup pic.twitter.com/OC142MkS80
— Mairead McGuinness (@MaireadMcGMEP) January 18, 2017
"I suppose since I got elected here in 2004, I didn't have political experience - although I've gained quite a bit.
"I think it says something that in that time in politics I'm in a position now to be the first vice-president of the European Parliament coming from a small member state.
"The Irish delegation in our political group numbers four people, so we're not massive, but you don't have to be big - physically strong - to be very strong.
"And I hope that I have been very strong in everything that I've done here in my political life, in parliament.
"And I intend to continue to do that - so today's a nice day, but I won't be resting on my laurels or taking a day off or anything like that.
"It is down to business", she added.
