Tánaiste Micheál Martin has hit the campaign trail for the local and European elections in the north Dublin town of Skerries. 

The Fianna Fáil President was joined by veteran Dublin MEP Barry Andrews as well as local candidate Sinéad Lucey Brennan.

Speaking to Josh Crosbie for The Hard Shoulder, Minister Martin said he was “enjoying this particular canvas” and always found people “very pleasant and courteous”.

For those people thinking of getting involved in politics and knocking doors for a cause or party they believe in, he had some simple advice.

“Listen,” he said simply.

“Just listen to people.. You’ve got to introduce yourself, slowly talk about the issues that the person may be concerned about and try and give them an opportunity to talk about the issues.”

Out on the doorsteps, the Fianna Fáil team encountered one woman who was keen to talk about the rising cost of living.

“Do something for the pensioners,” she pleaded.

“Because you know everything has gone up sky high.”

“It has,” the Tánaiste replied ruefully.

“You’re thinking of them online and not us,” she added.

“I get you,” he said.

'Decisions that didn’t necessarily represent me'

Fianna Fáil’s candidate in Balbriggan-Skerries LEA is Sinéad Lucey Brennan.

Originally from Cork, she had a stroke eight years ago and if elected hopes to focus on footpaths, public lighting and making the beaches more accessible.

“I suppose I got into politics on the basis of being a disability advocate,” she said.

“Really, as a young Mum living in the Skerries, Balbriggan, North County area, I saw a lot of decisions being made at a council level that didn’t necessarily represent me as a parent.

“Or me as someone working remotely and living in this town and spending in this town.”

Skerries Beach - Photo by Fionn McCann for Fáilte Ireland

Ms Lucey Brennan said having the Tánaiste out to campaign with her “means the world” to her and her campaign team.

“He’s been a real leader and statesman in how he’s approached really significant challenges abroad in his capacity as the Minister for Foreign Affairs as well as in his capacity as Tánaiste,” she said.

“It just means a lot to have that support and to have that party backing as well, it really shows an investment in younger candidates, female candidates and really trying to push Fianna Fáil in the next generation.”

Voting for the local and European elections will take place on Friday June 7th.

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