Pat the Cope Gallagher (67) is from Dungloe, Co Donegal and is grandson of one of the leading figures of the co-operative movement, Paddy the Cope Gallagher. He was first elected to the Dáil in 1981 for the Donegal South West constituency, holding the seat until 1997. In 1994 he was elected as an MEP, holding the seat in 1999.

He returned to the Dáil in Donegal South West in 2002 and was re-elected in 2007. He was elected back to the European Parliament in 2009 but lost his seat in 2014. During his Dáil career he has served as Minister of State in several departments. He is married to Ann Gillespie, who, with her sister, Eibhlin was convicted on IRA conspiracy and explosive charges, serving 10 years of a 15-year sentence. She has maintained her innocence.