Former government minister Gemma Hussey has died after a short illness. She was 86.
Born in Bray, Co Wicklow, Ms Hussey had a successful career in business before entering politics. She became a senator, initially as an independent, in 1977 and joined Fine Gael three years later. In 1981 she became government leader in the Seanad
She was elected to the Dáil as a candidate for the party in 1982 and served as a TD until 1989.
During that time she was minister for education (1982-1986), minister for social welfare (1986-1987) and for a brief period in 1987, minister for labour.
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Paying tribute to Ms Hussey, Taoiseach Simon Harris described her as “a trailblazer, the State’s first female minister for education and Fine Gael’s first female Cabinet minister”.
“Gemma was a passionate progressive for women’s rights, education reform and Ireland’s place in the world, particularly the potential of European Union membership,” he said.
“Gemma was a TD in my own native Wicklow, where her long service and delivery is remembered to this day. But above all, Gemma was a patriot, a Fine Gael stalwart and a kind and generous person. I was one of the lucky people to enjoy her company, her advice and her good humour.”
In a statement announcing the news on Tuesday, her family said her “passion throughout her life was the advancement of women in politics and in all walks of life”.
“She was a very proud Europhile and after exiting politics in 1989 she immersed herself in the European Women’s Federation, encouraging women in former Eastern-block countries to become active in politics for the first time.”
She died surrounded by her family, they said.
Ms Hussey was predeceased by her husband Derry, who died in 2020, and is survived by her children, Rachel, Ruth and Andrew, her seven grandchildren and her brother Paddy.
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