Cavan sisters make history

Two women with Cavan roots have made history by becoming the first sisters to lead Irish Government departments.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, announced last week that the Government had approved the appointment of Sinéad McPhillips as its Secretary General.

Sinéad is the sister of Oonagh McPhillips, who is the current Secretary General of the Department of Justice. She was also the first woman in that role.

Sinéad McPhillips becomes the first female Secretary General at the Department of Agriculture in its long history and will take up the role in October following the retirement of Brendan Gleeson, who has served as Secretary General for the last seven years.

Both women were raised in Drumcondra in Dublin by their parents, Tom and Mai McPhillips (née Dunne), who were part of large families in Butlersbridge and Lavey respectively.

They remain close to their many cousins and relations throughout Cavan and Monaghan. Congratulating Sinéad, Minister Heydon said: "Sinéad has been a senior leader in the Department for the last decade, and I am confident that under her leadership the Department can continue to deliver for the agriculture, food, forestry, and fisheries sectors. I look forward to working closely with Sinéad as we deliver on our commitments in the Programme for Government 'Delivering Ireland's Future'.”

Sinéad is currently Assistant Secretary General for EU, UK, and International Affairs in the Department, with responsibilities including leading on agri-food negotiations at EU level, implementing Ireland's CAP strategic plan, and managing the department's overseas network. She previously served as Assistant Secretary General with responsibility for agri-food and sectoral development, and as the department's Chief Economist. Her qualifications include masters degrees in International Human Rights Law and Economic Science.