MINISTER FOR ARTS, HERITAGE & THE GAELTACHT
MINISTER FOR BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE & INNOVATION
'... when you go up for election you are on your own, you are pitted against your party colleague or you are pitted against the opposition. When you are in this business [in Leinster House] you have to make your own decisions.'
Interview with Heather Humphreys for Martina FitzGerald, Madam Politician: The Women at the Table of Irish Political Power. Gill Books, 2018.
Heather led the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme – which was inclusive and respectful. From the outset, Heather wanted to hear the ‘personal stories and intertwined histories that linked many families’.
In late 2016 the then Taoiseach (Enda Kenny TD) and Heather launched the Creative Ireland Programme, a legacy project from the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, bringing arts, culture, music, drama and software coding to every locality throughout the country.
Heather launched the 'Action Plan for Rural Development' in 2017 and introduced a number of schemes aimed at supporting rural Ireland such as the highly successful Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
In 2003 Heather was co-opted on to Monaghan County Council, in place of Seymour Crawford TD, following the end of the dual mandate.
Heather previously had no connection to politics – she later said that ‘she would always be extremely grateful to Seymour for introducing her to politics.’ Seymour was not only her mentor but a close friend, who continued to advise her following his retirement in 2011.
Heather was elected in the 2004 and 2009 Local Elections - when she topped the poll in the Clones Electoral Area. She served as Chair of the Council’s Strategic Policy Committee on Planning and Economic Development and as Chairperson of the County Council (2009 – 2010), becoming the second woman to hold the position.
In the February 2011 General Election, Heather was elected to the 31st Dáil for the Cavan-Monaghan Constituency.
Heather became a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform and was appointed (2013) as the Chair of the Fine Gael Finance Committee.
In July 2014, the then Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD appointed her as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and charged with overseeing the Ireland 2016 Centenary Commemorations.
Heather's own personal background was key to making the commemorations more inclusive.
'Following the 2016 General Election Heather Humphreys was re-elected'
As Minister of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather’s understanding of farming, business and living in a border county, provide her with a unique insight into the challenges being caused by Brexit.
Born Heather Maud Stewart in County Monaghan. Her family had farmed the land for generations. Heather grew up with her extended family living around her on the Cavan-Monaghan border and in the village of Drum.
Heather was reared in a traditional Presbyterian community, where the Church played a central role in community life.
She attended St Aidan’s Comprehensive School in Cootehill, Co Cavan, a co-educational multi denominational school, which represented a new approach to education.
The Stewart family lived close to the border with County Fermanagh.
The Troubles dominated much of Heather's childhood, which continued from her teenage years into adulthood. It was a conflict that was dominated by sectarian killings and bombings, concentrated initially on the border counties where she lived.
She has vivid memories of checkpoints, car hi- jackings, shootings in homes and relatives serving in the Northern Ireland police or prison service afraid to return home to visit elderly parents.
Heather also has some fond childhood memories of smuggling, especially milky bar chocolate and Malteser sweets! Heather commenced her career in the Ulster Bank in 1978, rising through the ranks, until she was appointed an Assistant Bank Manager, at a time when few women held management roles in retail banking.
Later she became the Manager of the Cootehill Credit Union, overseeing the growth of business, resulting in the opening of a new premises in 2009.
In 1987, Heather married Eric Humphreys, a farmer from Dernaroy, near Newbliss in County Monaghan. They have two daughters Eva and Tara.
She was reappointed to her Ministerial position this time with an expanded portfolio.
She was now Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (6 May 2016 - 14 June 2017)