Gemma Hussey | |
|---|---|
 Hussey, c. 1980s | |
| Minister for Social Welfare | |
| In office 14 February 1986 – 10 March 1987 | |
| Taoiseach | Garret FitzGerald |
| Preceded by | Barry Desmond |
| Succeeded by | Michael Woods |
| Minister for Labour | |
| In office 20 January 1987 – 10 March 1987 | |
| Taoiseach | Garret FitzGerald |
| Preceded by | Ruairi Quinn |
| Succeeded by | Bertie Ahern |
| Minister for Education | |
| In office 14 December 1982 – 14 February 1986 | |
| Taoiseach | Garret FitzGerald |
| Preceded by | Gerard Brady |
| Succeeded by | Patrick Cooney |
| Leader of the Seanad | |
| In office 8 October 1981 – 26 March 1982 | |
| Taoiseach | Garret FitzGerald |
| Preceded by | Eoin Ryan Snr |
| Succeeded by | Eoin Ryan Snr |
| Leader of Fine Gael in the Seanad | |
| In office 8 October 1981 – 26 March 1982 | |
| Leader | Garret FitzGerald |
| Preceded by | Patrick Cooney |
| Succeeded by | James Dooge |
| Teachta Dála | |
| In office February 1982 – June 1989 | |
| Constituency | Wicklow |
| Senator | |
| In office 27 October 1977 – 18 February 1982 | |
| Constituency | National University |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Gemma Moran 11 November 1938 Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland |
| Died | 26 November 2024 (aged 86) Dublin, Ireland |
| Political party | Fine Gael |
| Spouse |
Derry Hussey
(m. 1976; died 2020) |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | University College Dublin |
Gemma Hussey (née Moran; 11 November 1938 – 26 November 2024) was an Irish Fine Gael politician who served as Minister for Social Welfare from 1986 to 1987, Minister for Labour from January 1987 to March 1987, Minister for Education from 1982 to 1986, Leader of the Seanad and Leader of Fine Gael in the Seanad from 1981 to 1982. She served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Wicklow constituency from 1982 to 1989. She also served as a Senator for the National University from 1977 to 1982.[1]
Hussey made history as Ireland's first female Minister for Education and Fine Gael's first female Cabinet minister.[2] During her tenure in education from 1982 to 1986, she introduced lasting reforms, such as the establishment of aural and oral exams and the creation of the National Parents Council.[3][4] An advocate for women’s rights, Hussey worked to increase female representation in politics and highlighted gender issues in broadcasting as a member of the Working Party on Women in Broadcasting.[3] Additionally, Hussey campaigned throughout the 1980s for the legalisation of divorce, a highly divisive issue at the time.[3] In 2011, the Times summarised Huessy ideologically as a "heavyweight Blueshirt Liberal".[5]
After leaving electoral politics in 1989, she became actively involved in the European Women’s Federation, encouraging women from former Eastern Bloc countries to engage in political life for the first time.[3] She was a committed Europhile and supporter of the European Union.[3][6] Hussey was also a published author, writing At the Cutting Edge: Cabinet Diaries 1982–1987 and Ireland Today: An Anatomy of a Changing State, offering insights into Irish politics and societal changes.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
oireachtas_dbwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Wrona, Adrianna (26 November 2024). ""Trailblazer and passionate progressive for woman's rights" – former Minister Gemma Hussey dies aged 86".
- ^ a b c d e "Tributes paid as 'pioneering' Gemma Hussey dies aged 86". RTÉ News. 26 November 2024. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
- ^ Hickey, Emma (26 November 2024). "Taoiseach and president pay tribute to former Fine Gael minister Gemma Hussey after her death aged 86". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
- ^ McCarthy, Justine (23 August 2009). "Who will be Ireland's rose?". The Times. Archived from the original on 26 November 2024. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
- ^ Malone, Emmet (26 November 2024). "Former Government minister Gemma Hussey dies after short illness aged 86". Irish Times. Retrieved 26 November 2024.