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Heather Humphreys - Wikipedia Jump to content

Heather Humphreys

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Heather Humphreys
Humphreys in 2019
Minister for Social Protection
In office
27 June 2020 – 23 January 2025
Taoiseach
Preceded byRegina Doherty
Succeeded byDara Calleary
Minister for Rural and Community Development
In office
27 June 2020 – 23 January 2025
Taoiseach
  • Micheál Martin
  • Leo Varadkar
  • Simon Harris
Preceded byMichael Ring
Succeeded byDara Calleary
Deputy leader of Fine Gael
In office
5 April 2024 – 19 October 2024
LeaderSimon Harris
Preceded bySimon Coveney
Succeeded byHelen McEntee
Minister for Justice
In office
26 November 2022 – 17 December 2022
TaoiseachMicheál Martin
Preceded byHelen McEntee
Succeeded bySimon Harris
In office
27 April 2021 – 1 November 2021
TaoiseachMicheál Martin
Preceded byHelen McEntee
Succeeded byHelen McEntee
Other Government Ministries
Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation
In office
30 November 2017 – 27 June 2020
TaoiseachLeo Varadkar
Preceded byFrances Fitzgerald
Succeeded byLeo Varadkar
(Enterprise, Trade and Employment)
Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
In office
14 June 2017 – 30 November 2017
TaoiseachLeo Varadkar
Preceded byHerself (under old title)
Succeeded byJosepha Madigan
Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
In office
6 May 2016 – 14 June 2017
TaoiseachEnda Kenny
Preceded byHerself (under old title)
Succeeded byHerself (with new title)
Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
In office
11 July 2014 – 6 May 2016
TaoiseachEnda Kenny
Preceded byJimmy Deenihan
Succeeded byHerself (with new title)
Teachta Dála
In office
February 2011 – November 2024
ConstituencyCavan–Monaghan
Monaghan County Councillor
In office
2003–2011
ConstituencyClones
Personal details
BornHeather Maud Stewart
1960 (age 64–65)[1]
Drum, County Monaghan, Ireland[2]
Political partyFine Gael
Spouse
Eric Humphreys
​
(m. 1996)​
[3]
Children2
EducationSt. Aidan's Comprehensive School
Alma materUniversity College Galway

Heather Maud Humphreys (née Stewart; born 1960) is an Irish Fine Gael politician who served in various cabinet positions from 2014 to 2025.[4] She was a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Cavan–Monaghan constituency from 2011 to 2024,[5] and served as deputy leader of Fine Gael from April to October 2024. She is the Fine Gael nominee for the 2025 Irish presidential election.[6]

Early life

[edit]

Heather Maud Stewart was born in the village of Drum, County Monaghan, in 1960.[7][8][9][10] She is a Presbyterian; her father was a member of the Orange Order, while her grandfather, Robert James Stewart, signed the Ulster Covenant opposing Home Rule in 1912.[11][12] Her husband, Eric, was also previously a member of the Orange Order. Humphreys recalls that as a child she was taken to Orange Order parades, but states that she stopped attending when the Troubles broke out.[13] She has described herself as a proud Irish republican.[14]

Humphreys was educated at St. Aidan's Comprehensive School in Cootehill, County Cavan. She then attended University College, Galway (UCG).[15] In 1978, she starting working with Ulster Bank,[10] and later worked in the local Credit Union. She was later appointed manager of Cootehill Credit Union, a position she held from 1999 to 2011.[16][17]

Growing up in County Monaghan, Humphreys has recalled being impacted by the March 1974 death of Billy Fox, a Protestant Fine Gael politician from near Ballybay in County Monaghan, who was killed by the Provisional IRA in his girlfriend's home.[3]

Early political career

[edit]

Following the abolition of the dual mandate in 2003, Humphreys was co-opted onto Monaghan County Council in succession to Seymour Crawford. She was elected in her own right at the 2004 local elections and once again following the 2009 local elections.[18] She was elected as Mayor of Monaghan County in 2009.[19] While a member of the council, she served as chair of the council's Strategic Policy Committee on Planning and Economic Development.[20]

Humphreys was elected as a Fine Gael TD for Cavan–Monaghan at the 2011 general election. She was the only Presbyterian member of the Oireachtas during her tenure.[21]

Elections to Monaghan County Council
Party Election FPv FPv% Result
Fine Gael Clones LEA 2004 1,091 18.1 Elected on count 4/4
Clones LEA 2009 1,554 23.9 Elected on count 1/4

Ministerial career

[edit]

After an initial period on the backbenches, in a cabinet reshuffle in July 2014, Humphreys was appointed Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.[22] After just a few months in the position she became embroiled in controversy over her appointment of John McNulty to the board of the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) on 12 September 2014 just before his nomination for a Seanad by-election to the Cultural and Educational Panel. Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said at the "very basic level, she should say what officials in Fine Gael asked her to appoint Mr McNulty to the board of Imma".[23] Although Humphreys said John Nulty was selected "on merit", she later admitted she regretted the decision.[24]

In the preparations of the 2016 Easter Rising centenary celebrations, she said:

Given my background as a Protestant and an Ulsterwoman who is a proud Irish republican, I appreciate the need to respect the differing traditions on this island.[14]

In March 2016, Humphreys approved the redevelopment of some buildings on Moore Street on the basis that only numbers 14-17, which were where some of the leaders of the Easter Rising of 1916 met for the last time before their execution, had been designated a national monument.[25][26] Her decision was later challenged but was ultimately upheld by the Court of Appeal.[27]

Following the formation of a Fine Gael minority government in May 2016, she was appointed to the expanded position of Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.[28][29] She was appointed as Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in the government of Leo Varadkar in July 2017.[30]

Heather Humphreys and Josepha Madigan, November 2017
Humphreys in Áras an Uachtaráin alongside Josepha Madigan after being appointed as a government minister by President Michael D. Higgins

On 30 November 2017, she was appointed as Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation. She succeeded Frances Fitzgerald, who had resigned on 28 November.[31]

On 27 June 2020, she was appointed as Minister for Social Protection and Minister for Rural and Community Development in the government led by Taoiseach Micheál Martin.[32] On 27 April 2021, she was assigned the addition position of Minister for Justice on a temporary basis during the maternity leave of Helen McEntee, serving until 1 November 2021.[33] In November 2022, she was assigned to the position of Minister for Justice for a second time on the maternity leave of McEntee.[34]

On 17 December 2022, she was re-appointed to the same positions following Leo Varadkar's appointment as Taoiseach, but the temporary position of Minister for Justice was assigned to Simon Harris.[35]

On 4 April 2023, The Ditch website reported that Humphreys had told two of their journalists to "fuck off" when they had questioned her on the use for storage of two derelict residential properties that she owns and are situated above her constituency office, without the required planning permission for change of use.[36]

On 27 January 2024, she was appointed as Fine Gael's Director of Elections for the referendums on the Family and Care.[37]

On 5 April 2024, she was appointed as Deputy leader of Fine Gael.[38]

On 19 October 2024, Humphreys announced that she would not contest the 2024 general election, saying: "I'll be 65 next year and if I ran again I'd be nearly 70 by the end of the next Dáil term and I'm just not physically able to keep going for that long." She also stepped down as Fine Gael deputy leader.[39]

Elections to the Dáil
Party Election FPv FPv% Result
Fine Gael Cavan-Monaghan 2011 8,144 11.4 Elected on count 9/9
Cavan-Monaghan 2016 12,391 20.8 Elected on count 1/10
Cavan-Monaghan 2020 12,808 17.7 Elected on count 1/11

2025 presidential campaign

[edit]
2025 Heather Humphreys presidential campaign
CampaignPresident of Ireland in the 2025 Irish presidential election
CandidateHeather Humphreys, Minister for Social Protection, Rural and Community Development (2020–2025)
AffiliationFine Gael
Status
  • Announcement: 19 August 2025
  • Nominated by Fine Gael: 2 September 2025
  • Campaign launch: 13 September 2025
Website
heatherforpresident.ie

Humphreys initially ruled herself out when Fine Gael opened nominations for selection as the party candidate for the 2025 Irish presidential election.[40] However, after Mairead McGuinness withdrew, Humphreys announced that she would seek the Fine Gael nomination for the presidency on 19 August 2025.[41]

On 2 September, Fine Gael confirmed Humphreys as the party's nominee for the presidential election.[6]

On 13 September, Humphreys launched her national campaign at an event at the Peace Campus in Monaghan. She believed the venue reflected her vision for the presidency, including building bridges and bringing people together.[42]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Regan, Mary (20 October 2024). "'Gave it my all' - Humphreys won't stand in next election". RTÉ.
  2. ^ Collins, Stephen (2011). Nealon's Guide to the 31st Dáil and 24th Seanad. Dublin: Gill & Macmillan. p. 27. ISBN 9780717150595.
  3. ^ a b Coyne, Ellen (2 September 2025). "Heather Humphreys profile: Popular Fine Gael matriarch is no stranger to controversy but has broad appeal". Irish Times. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
  4. ^ Ward, Shauna Bannon (26 July 2023). "Heather Humphreys' 27-year marriage, career before politics and life on a farm". RSVP Live.
  5. ^ "Heather Humphreys". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 23 August 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
  6. ^ a b Horgan-Jones, Jack (2 September 2025). "Fine Gael confirms Heather Humphreys as its candidate for presidential election". The Irish Times.
  7. ^ Minihan, Harry McGeePat LeahyMary. "Leo Varadkar's Cabinet: Minister by Minister". The Irish Times.
  8. ^ "Potential candidates for Presidency head to Kerry in search of nomination". SundayWorld.com. 25 September 2025.
  9. ^ O'Halloran, Marie. "Blazing a trail: The 19 female ministers since 1918". The Irish Times.
  10. ^ a b "Heather Humphreys". 100 Years of Women in Politics & Public Life. 2018. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  11. ^ Moriarty, Gerry (8 August 2016). "Protestant drum is still beating strong in Border village". Irish Times. Archived from the original on 16 September 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  12. ^ McGreevy, Ronan (21 January 2016). "My grandfather signed the Ulster Covenant, Minister says". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 21 April 2018. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  13. ^ Dalton, Eoghan (14 September 2025). "Heather Humphreys recalls attending Orange parades as she gives backing to Irish unity". The Journal.
  14. ^ a b "Heather Humphreys: 1916 commemorations belong to all". The Irish Times. 31 March 2015. Archived from the original on 13 August 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
  15. ^ "Self-aware Humphreys ready to do the business". Irish Examiner. 1 December 2017. Archived from the original on 30 September 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  16. ^ McGee, Harry (3 February 2025). "Heather Humphreys: 'If you're a rural TD it's very hard as you can't be at home at night'". The Irish Times. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  17. ^ "Heather Humphreys". Cootehill Chamber of Commerce. 1 December 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  18. ^ "Heather Humphreys". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
  19. ^ "Heather Humphreys". Election 2011. TheJournal.ie. Archived from the original on 14 February 2011. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
  20. ^ "15th Cabinet Minister Heather Humphreys". Mna100.ie. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  21. ^ "Profile: Heather Humphreys". Irish Independent. 12 July 2014. Archived from the original on 31 May 2015. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
  22. ^ "As It Happened: Cabinet reshuffle". RTÉ News. 14 July 2014. Archived from the original on 13 July 2014. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
  23. ^ Regan, Mary (4 October 2014). "Humphreys faces grilling by Dáil committee". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on 13 April 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  24. ^ "Humphreys: "I have learned valuable lessons"". Today FM. 30 September 2014. Archived from the original on 13 April 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  25. ^ Pollak, Sorcha (28 March 2016). "Heather Humphreys heckled during 1916 Moore Street centenary event". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 9 April 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  26. ^ Bray, Allison (28 March 2016). "'Shame on you' - Heather Humphreys heckled as she laid wreath at Moore Street for 1916 Rising Centenary". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  27. ^ Carolan, Mary (14 February 2018). "Court of Appeal rules Moore St buildings not 1916 national monument". The Irish Times. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  28. ^ "Frances Fitzgerald is Tánaiste in new Cabinet". RTÉ News. 6 May 2016. Archived from the original on 7 May 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  29. ^ "The new cabinet". Irish Independent. 7 May 2016. Archived from the original on 10 May 2017. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  30. ^ "Heather Humphreys". Houses of the Oireachtas. 6 November 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  31. ^ "Taoiseach names Simon Coveney as new Tánaiste". RTÉ News. 30 November 2017. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  32. ^ "CONFIRMED: Humphreys announced as Minister for Social Protection, Rural and Community Affairs and the islands". northernsound.ie. 27 June 2020. Archived from the original on 28 June 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  33. ^ "Ministerial Responsibilities – Dáil Éireann (33rd Dáil) – Vol. 1006 No. 2". Oireachtas. 28 April 2021. Archived from the original on 29 April 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  34. ^ Meskill, Tommy (17 November 2022). "Humphreys to cover Minister for Justice role during McEntee maternity leave". RTÉ News. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  35. ^ Lehane, Micheál (17 December 2022). "Reshuffle: Who is in the new Cabinet?". RTÉ News. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  36. ^ "'Fuck off and leave me alone': Heather Humphreys on her derelict flats". The Ditch. 4 April 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  37. ^ "Fine Gael appoints Minister Heather Humphreys as Director of Elections for upcoming referendums". Fine Gael. 27 January 2024. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  38. ^ "Heather Humphreys confirmed as Fine Gael deputy leader". breakingnews.ie. 5 April 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  39. ^ Lehane, Mícheál (19 October 2024). "Heather Humphreys will not contest next general election". RTÉ News. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  40. ^ Kelly, Keith (23 May 2025). "Heather Humphreys rules herself out of this year's presidential race". The Journal. Archived from the original on 23 May 2025. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  41. ^ Coyne, Ellen; Clarke, Vivienne (19 August 2025). "Heather Humphreys and Seán Kelly to seek Fine Gael nomination to run in presidential election". The Irish Times. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  42. ^ Cunningham, Paul (13 September 2025). "Humphreys launches presidential campaign in Monaghan". RTÉ News. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
[edit]
Political offices
Preceded by Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
2014–2016 		Succeeded by
Herself
as Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
Preceded by
Herself
as Minister for Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht 		Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
2016–2017 		Succeeded by
Herself
as Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
Preceded by
Herself
as Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs 		Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
Jul.–Nov. 2017 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation
2017–2020 		Succeeded byas Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Preceded byas Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection Minister for Social Protection
2020–2025 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for Rural and Community Development
2020–2025
Preceded by Minister for Justice
April–November 2021 		Succeeded by
Helen McEntee
Preceded by
Helen McEntee
 Minister for Justice
November–December 2022 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Deputy leader of Fine Gael
Apr.–Oct. 2024 		Succeeded by
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