Former Education Minister Gemma Hussey dies aged 86
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The former Minister for Education Gemma Hussey has died aged 86.
Ms Hussey was a senator from 1977 to 1982 when she was elected to represent her native Wicklow in the Dáil.
She would serve until her retirement in 1989, during which she would be named Minister for Education, Minister for Labour and Minister for Social Welfare.
In 1990, she published a seminal political book At The Cutting Edge, based on her cabinet diaries.
A statement issued on behalf of her family called her a "former Minister, TD and senator, author and unstinting advocate for women’s rights". It said Ms Hussey died after a short illness and that she was "surrounded by her loving family in the care of Gascoigne House Nursing Home".
"Gemma’s passion throughout her life was the advancement of women in politics and 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.
"Her family is deeply proud of her contribution to a better Ireland and a better Europe over a lifetime of service."
Ms Hussey was predeceased by her husband Derry, and is survived by her children, Rachel, Ruth and Andrew, her seven grandchildren, her brother Paddy and "a wide circle of treasured friends".