Irene Rigau i Oliver is a Catalan politician from Spain, born in Banyoles (Pla de l'Estany County) in 1951.

[1] A teacher by profession,[1] Rigau holds a psychology degree from the Autonomous University of Barcelona and a diploma in public sector management from ESADE Business School.

Her political career includes four years as Catalan Minister for welfare and family issues (1999-2003).

In March 2017, the High Court of Justice of Catalonia condemned Artur Mas, Joana Ortega and Irene Rigau to fines and were barred from office between 18 and 24 months.

[4] Although they were acquitted of charges of misappropriation of public funds, The Court of Auditors has also been judging them as accounting officers for the referendum preparations and claims 5,2 million euros.