Hildegarde Naughton, TD

Hildegarde Naughton is Government Chief Whip, with responsibility for Special Education and Inclusion. She previously served as Minister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for International and Road Transport and Logistics, Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications with special responsibility for Postal Policy and Eircodes.

Hildegarde was elected as a TD in 2016, and was member of a number of Oireachtas Committees, including: Communications, Climate Action and Environment (Chair); Future of Healthcare; and Budgetary Scrutiny. Hildegarde was a primary school teacher and previously served as a member of Galway City Council in 2009 and was Mayor of the city in 2011/2012.

Work Experience:

Chicago Board of Trade – Commodities Market
APC Multinational Galway – Technical Support
University of Lille, France – Language Teacher
Co-ordinator of 2007 People in Need raising over €300,000 for charities in Galway
St. Patricks’ NS Galway City – Primary Teacher
Actively involved in the Arts in Galway for over 20 years

Education:

Scoil Mhuire, Oranmore
Calasanctius College, Oranmore
NUI, Galway: – B.A Economics & French – M.A French
Mary Immaculate College: – Post Grad. Dip Primary Teaching

News & Statements

Minister Naughton rejects criticism by John Gilligan programme makers

A Fine Gael Minister has rejected claims that comments she made criticising the production of a three-part programme on convicted drug dealer John Gilligan were ‘opportunistic’.

4th September 2023

Naughton expresses deep disappointment at Sinn Féin’s unashamed objection to transparency and accountability

Fine Gael Minister and Government Chief Whip, Hildegarde Naughton TD, has expressed her deep disappointment at Sinn Féin’s rejection of her offer of Dáil time to respond to questions and to account for their incorrect financial returns and filings.

2nd March 2023

All parties need to ensure full accountability on Sinn Féin’s financial errors - Naughton

Every party in the Oireachtas should ensure there is full accountability on the ongoing revelations of Sinn Féin’s incorrect statutory declarations and audited accounts, a Fine Gael Minister has said.

26th February 2023

Review to boost traffic to Regional Airports - Naughton

Supporting Balanced Regional Development a key Fine Gael cornerstone

19th November 2022

Minister Hildegarde Naughton extends sympathies on the death of Brigid Hogan-O’Higgins

Galway TD and Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton, has extended her sympathies to the family of former Fine Gael TD, Brigid Hogan O-Higgins, on the occasion of her passing.

3rd November 2022

New initiative to support walking and cycling infrastructure for schools

The Government has today launched a new initiative called Safe Routes to School which will support active travel infrastructure for selected schools around the country. The programme, which is the next phase in the Government’s investment in active travel, will see funding provided from the €1.8 billion committed under the Programme for Government, to support walking/scooting and cycling to primary and post-primary schools.

18th March 2021

Minister Naughton announces exemption for over 70’s to provide medical report when applying for a driving licence

Minister of State in the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton TD, has announced today that in light of the surge of Covid-19 cases and, in order to ease the burden on medical services, there will be an extension in the exemption that allows for those aged over 70 to apply for a driving licence without the need to provide a medical report.

12th January 2021

Statement by Minister Hildegarde Naughton

Hildegarde Naughton has said she is honoured to have been appointed as a Minister of State attending cabinet in the new Government.

28th June 2020

Government taking decisive action on online political advertising - Naughton

THE Government has shown its intent to take political interference on social media seriously after Cabinet approved a proposal to regulate online political advertising, a Fine Gael TD has said.

5th November 2019