Helen McEntee replaces Heather Humphreys as FG deputy leader after shock departure
Minister Justice Helen Mcentee
Helen McEntee has been appointed Fine Gael deputy leader after the shock announcement that Heather Humphreys will not run in the next general election.
Ms Humphreys' decision comes as her party remains on course to be the largest after the next election with the latest Sunday Times/Opinions poll showing it remains on 24%. Sinn Féin, which has been beset by scandals in recent weeks has seen its support fall to 16%, its lowest in any poll since the end of 2019. It is down 2% compared to the same poll last month.
Fianna Fáil is also down 1% to 19% and the Green Party holds steady on 4%. The Independent/Others have seen a 2% rise in support.
Heather Humphreys, who was first elected to the Dáil in 2011, confirmed her decision not to seek re-election on Saturday night, saying "time catches up on us all".
“Politicians are human too; we give all we can for as long as we can but time catches up on us all,” the 64-year-old Cavan/Monaghan TD said.
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Taoiseach Simon Harris has described Ms Humphreys as a “trailblazer” in Irish politics and a "great friend".
Her announcement brings to 18 the number of Fine Gael TDs who have confirmed that they will not be contesting the upcoming general election.
Paying tribute to the TD who has served in five Departments including as Minister for Justice, Arts and Enterprise, Mr Harris said: “Anyone who knows Heather knows her entire political career has been driven by a sense of decency, fairness and compassion. She is a proud, mischievous Monaghan woman with a loud laugh and a heart of gold.
"However, health must always come first. If the last few weeks have taught the Fine Gael family anything, it is that life is short and health and wellbeing should always be prioritised.” He confirmed that Ms Humphreys will remain Minister for Social Protection and Rural Affairs.
"I have appointed Minister Helen McEntee as Deputy Leader of Fine Gael. Helen is steeped in the Fine Gael values of equality and opportunity," Mr Harris said.
“She is a diligent, hardworking colleague and someone I know a long time. Helen is respected by our party membership right across the country. I really look forward to working closely with her in the time ahead.”
Later, Heather Humphreys said a tilt at the Áras next year is "not on the cards".
She also revealed that she let the Taoiseach know of her intention to leave politics in August, during an "emotional" conversation.
The Social Protection Minister has said she is looking forward to spending more time with family, friends and her two grandchildren, a part of her life which had been "put on hold" over the past 14 years since she was first elected to Leinster House.
Ms Humphreys said it hadn't been an easy decision to arrive at, but she cited the demands of the job and pointed to the fact that she would be almost 70 at the end of the next Dáil if she were to run again.
"When you get older you have to look after your health, you don't have the same energy as you have when you were younger, and you can't keep going at the same pace."
Ms Humphreys said she was "exhausted" after the local and European elections in June and took time off over the summer to recover, which had never happened before.
But she joked: "It's not the case that I am dying or anything, there is nothing wrong with me."
Ms Humphreys said Taoiseach Simon Harris had asked to her reconsider her decision, when she initially contacted him.
"I spoke to the Taoiseach at the end of August and I told him of my decision. It was a hard conversation, not because he is Taoiseach but because he is my friend.
"I don't get emotional too often, but it was emotional," she said, adding that she again spoke to the Taoiseach last week.
Speaking on RTÉ radio, she ruled out running in next year's presidential election, stating it is "not on the cards".