Heather Humphreys: ‘Happy to be outside politics, but not ruling anything out'

Last year's election saw a significant level of attrition among politicians. Tadgh McNally talks to Heather Humphreys about calling it a day after 14 years in frontline politics

Heather Humphreys in Merrion Sq, Dublin: ‘It’s the first time in my life that I can do what I want.’ Picture: Gareth Chaney

Heather Humphreys was sitting in the Dáil members’ bar on a July day in 2014, just over three years on from winning her seat.

It was reshuffle day, and speculation was abounding among TDs as to who was in and who was out of the new cabinet.

“Everybody was talking about who’d get what, and all the rest,” said Ms Humphreys. “And I said to them, ‘hey, I’m off, I’ve work to do, it’ll not be bothering me’.”

However, it was not long after returning to her office that her phone began to ring, with a message from Enda Kenny to come and see him.

Ms Humphreys was to be appointed as the new minister for arts, heritage and the Gaeltacht, just two years out from the 100-year commemoration.

She said she called into the office of Patrick O’Donovan, now the arts minister.

“He was saying ‘the speculation is that such a one’s getting such a thing and whatever else, and the minister for arts, heritage and the Gaeltacht is going to somebody else’ and I said ‘no, it’s me’. He looked up at me, and I nodded my head, because I really couldn’t talk. ‘You?’ he says. ‘Yeah’.”

While she mentions changing policies such as jobseekers’ pay-related benefit and the eventual rollout of the auto-enrolment pension scheme as highlights of her career, Ms Humphreys says that there were times when the government got it wrong.

“The one regret I have, and it was a collective decision we all made, but you think back to covid, 

I think that the rule that was brought out that you couldn’t be near your dying relative, I think that was probably the hardest thing.

“You had family members that passed away during covid, they didn’t have their family with them and that’s terrible.

“That really was very, very hard and we had to take the medical advice at the time. But it always comes back to me many times to think how awful it was for those families.

“Maybe it could have been done differently. I don’t know.”

One thing she does not miss is the day-to-day politicking of the Dáil, but the Monaghan woman is still keeping an eye on things, particularly the turbulent second coming of US president Donald Trump.

“It is interesting and challenging times, there’s no doubt about that. But like everything else, you know, you just have to work your way through them.”

After 14 years in frontline politics, Ms Humphreys decided to call it a day after the 2024 general election.

“I’m quite happy to be outside it. I’m taking it easy now and it’s the first time in my life that I can do what I want.”

She says that after a 47-year career, in politics and outside it, she is now able to spend more time with family and friends and in her garden.

However, she is coy about the question of a presidential race, saying she is taking a break for the meantime.

“I’m not giving up, doing nothing for the rest of my days. I’ll do something, but I don’t know what I’ll do and I’ll see what opportunities present themselves.”

So not ruled out, but not ruled in either.