Statement by President Higgins on the death of Gemma Hussey

Statement by President Higgins on the death of Gemma Hussey

Date: Tue 26th Nov, 2024 | 20:21

"May I join with all those who have paid such well-deserved tribute to the late Gemma Hussey.

A lifelong committed feminist, Gemma Hussey was a passionate advocate and inspiration for the vitally important increase in the number of women serving in our political system.

As a dedicated and effective Government Minister, she set a stirring example of the key role which must be held by women in politics.

In introducing aural and oral exams and establishing the National Parents Council as Minister for Education, she put in place lasting reforms which have benefited all those who have grown up in Ireland in the succeeding decades.

Throughout her career, she remained true to her principles and advocated for social reforms at a time when not all of the causes she supported were popular with all parts of Irish society.

Her interests were wide and inclusive. For example, I recall that we were both members of the McBride Commission on the Irish prisons, where Gemma took a particular interest in crimes of violence against women.

As Chair of the Women's Political Association, and later as co-founder of the European Women's Federation, she used her experience to aid others in building their own political careers.

In the years since her departure from frontline politics, Gemma Hussey remained an incisive commentator and an always valuable voice on the political system.

May I express my deepest sympathies to Gemma's children Rachel, Ruth and Andrew, and to all her family, friends and former colleagues."