Shock as Fine Gael deputy leader Heather Humphreys says she will ...
Heather Humphreys, the Minister for Social Protection and deputy leader of Fine Gael, will not contest the next general election.
In a shock announcement on Saturday night, the 64-year-old Cavan/Monaghan TD, who was first elected to the Dáil in 2011, confirmed her decision not to seek re-election, saying "time catches up on us all".
“Politicians are human too; we give all we can for as long as we can but time catches up on us all,” she said.
“As I get older, my health and energy levels are not what they were and I know going forward that I would not be able to give the job the time and commitment it deserves.
“I have been a public representative for the past 21 years, as a councillor, TD and Minister.
“I have been fortunate to serve in Cabinet for over 10 years across a range of different ministries. “Whether it was leading the 2016 Commemorations, supporting businesses through the Covid-19 pandemic; enacting legislation for Auto Enrolment and Pay Related Benefit; rolling out hot meals to all primary schools or supporting our rural communities, I have always enjoyed the job and I have always looked forward to coming to work every day.
“We will retain our seat in Cavan-Monaghan and push very strongly for a second Fine Gael seat in this constituency.
“I will work day and night with our candidates to achieve this goal so that we can return Simon Harris to the office of Taoiseach.”
Her decision brings to 18 the number of Fine Gael’s 35 TDs elected in 2020 who will not be contesting the election which many expect could be held within seven or eight weeks.
Ms Humphreys has served in various cabinet positions since 2014, including as Minister for Business, Enterprise, and Innovation, as Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, and Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
She was appointed to her current portfolio, as Minister for Social Protection and Minister for Rural and Community Development, in June 2020.
She was twice assigned the additional role of Minister for Justice on a temporary basis during Helen McEntee’s two terms of maternity leave.
She was also Fine Gael’s director of elections for the Family and Care referendums earlier this year.
She was previously an elected member of Monaghan County, serving as chair of its Strategic Policy Committee on Planning and Economic Development, and as council chair in 2009/2010.
