Heather Humphreys
| Heather Humphreys TD | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation | |
|
Assumed office 30 November 2017 | |
| Taoiseach | Leo Varadkar |
| Preceded by | Leo Varadkar (acting) |
| Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht | |
|
In office 14 June 2017 – 30 November 2017 | |
| Taoiseach | Leo Varadkar |
| Preceded by | New office |
| Succeeded by | Josepha Madigan |
| Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs | |
|
In office 6 May 2016 – 14 June 2017 | |
| Taoiseach | Enda Kenny |
| Preceded by | New Office |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht | |
|
In office 11 July 2014 – 6 May 2016 | |
| Taoiseach | Enda Kenny |
| Preceded by | Jimmy Deenihan |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Teachta Dála | |
|
Assumed office February 2011 | |
| Constituency | Cavan–Monaghan |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Heather Amber Stewart 14 May 1963[1] Drum, County Monaghan, Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Political party | Fine Gael |
| Spouse(s) | Eric Humphreys (m. 1996) |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | NUI Galway |
| Website |
heatherhumphreys |
Heather Amber Humphreys (born 14 May 1963) is an Irish Fine Gael politician who has served as Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation since November 2017. She has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Cavan–Monaghan constituency since 2011.
She previously served as Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht from June 2017 to November 2017, Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs from 2016 to 2017 and Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht from 2014 to 2016.[2]
Early life
Humphreys was born in the village of Drum, County Monaghan. Raised as a Presbyterian, her father is a member of the Orange Order, while her grandfather, Robert James Stewart, signed the Ulster Covenant opposing Home Rule in 1912.[3][4] Humphreys was educated at St. Aidan's Comprehensive School in Cootehill. She then attended University College Galway (now NUI Galway).[5] For a number of years she worked as an official with Ulster Bank and the Credit Union. She was later appointed manager of Cootehill Credit Union.
Early political career
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 and once again in 2009.[6] She was elected as Mayor of Monaghan County Council in 2009.[7] While a member of the council, she served as Chair of the Council's Strategic Policy Committee on Planning and Economic Development.
Humphreys was elected as a TD for Cavan–Monaghan at the 2011 general election. She is the only Presbyterian member of the Oireachtas.[8]
After an initial period on the backbenches, Humphreys was appointed Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, following a cabinet reshuffle in July 2014.
Following the formation of a Fine Gael minority government in May 2016, Humphreys was appointed to the newly created position of Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.[9]
In government
Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
Humphreys was a surprise appointment to the position of Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, following a cabinet reshuffle in July 2014.[10] 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). McNulty was a Fine Gael candidate for a Seanad by-election and his appointment occurred a few days before his nomination was announced. Humphreys was accused of stroke politics and cronyism.
In her role as the Minister responsible for 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."[11] | ” |
Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
Humphreys was appointed to the newly expanded position of Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs following the formation of a Fine Gael minority government on 6 May 2016.[12]
Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation
On 30 November 2017, Humphreys was appointed as Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation. She succeeded Frances Fitzgerald, who had resigned on 28 November.[13]
References
- ↑ Collins, Stephen (2011). Nealon's Guide to the 31st Dáil and 24th Seanad. Dublin: Gill & Macmillan. p. 27. ISBN 9780717150595.
- ↑ "Ms. Heather Humphreys". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
- ↑ Moriarty, Gerry (8 August 2016). "Protestant drum is still beating strong in Border village". Irish Times. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
- ↑ McGreevy, Ronan (21 January 2016). "My grandfather signed the Ulster Covenant, Minister says". Irish Times. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
- ↑ "Self-aware Humphreys ready to do the business". Irish Examiner. 1 December 2017.
- ↑ "Heather Humphreys". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
- ↑ "Heather Humphreys". Election 2011. TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
- ↑ "Profile: Heather Humphreys". Irish Independent. 12 July 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
- ↑ "Frances Fitzgerald is Tánaiste in new Cabinet". RTÉ News. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
- ↑ "As It Happened: Cabinet reshuffle". RTÉ News. 14 July 2014.
- ↑ "Heather Humphreys: 1916 commemorations belong to all". The Irish Times. 31 March 2015.
- ↑ "The new cabinet". Irish Independent. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
- ↑ "Taoiseach names Simon Coveney as new Tánaiste". RTÉ News. 30 November 2017. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
External links
| Oireachtas | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Margaret Conlon (Fianna Fáil) |
Fine Gael Teachta Dála for Cavan–Monaghan 2011–present |
Incumbent |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Jimmy Deenihan |
Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht 2014–16 |
Succeeded by Office abolished |
| New office | Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs 2016–17 |
Succeeded by Herself as Minister for Arts and Culture |
| 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 Josepha Madigan |
| Preceded by Frances Fitzgerald |
Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation 2017–present |
Incumbent |