Geoghegan-Quinn, Maire (1950-…), became the Republic of Ireland’s first woman Cabinet minister, as minister for the Gaeltacht, in 1979. The Gaeltacht is a name for areas in western Ireland where the Irish language remains in common use. A government department is responsible for promoting the interests of the Gaeltacht. Geoghegan-Quinn held this office until 1981. She returned to the Cabinet as minister for tourism, transport, and communications in 1992. She was minister for justice from January 1993 until December 1994.
Geoghegan-Quinn was a Fianna Fail member of Dail Eireann (the House of Representatives of the Irish Parliament). She succeeded her father, John Geoghegan, as member after his death in 1975. Previously, she had been a teacher. She was born in Galway.
