The Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said that Ryan Tubridy would be “very welcome” to move into politics.
Former Late Late Show and RTÉ presenter Ryan Tubridy has recently shared that he "dreams" of following in his grandfather's footsteps and making a move into politics.
His grandfather, Sean Tubridy, was a TD for Galway, but that's not where the political connections end.
On his mother's side of the family, he also has links to MEP Barry Andrews.
According to the Connacht Tribune, while Mr Tubridy was attending an event, the topic of his move into politics came up, and he revealed it was "coursing through [his] veins".
He reportedly said: "This bloody politics is coursing through my veins. I’ve got Andrews on one hand and Tubridy on the other. It’s unavoidable.
"I’m fascinated by politics, fascinated by public service and fascinated by Fianna Fáil as a political party, the ups and downs, the slings and arrows.
"Some people go to the sporting ground and watch football. I follow politics."
When asked if he would reclaim his grandfather's seat in Galway, he replied: "Every night of my life I go to bed dreaming, 'some day.'"
Many of the Irish Sunday papers included the story, with Kevin Doyle, executive editor of the Independent, sharing on The Pat Kenny Show that it's unclear if Ryan Tubridy was joking or not about his political aspirations.
He explained: "He was at an event last week and he, depending on interpretations of the people there, he either joked about it or he might have been half serious about testing water.
"But I love Willie O'Dea has is quoted basically giving him some advice and saying that he needs to toughen up."
Mr O'Dea's exact words were: "He is a genuinely nice guy, but in order to succeed in politics he would need to toughen up. Politics is not a teddy bear’s picnic anymore.
"Ryan would be very welcome. He is very capable and very bright, and it would be up to the electorate to make the decision if he ever decided."
It's not just the former defence minister who says Ryan would be welcome in politics, as even the Taoiseach Micheál Martin has shared the same sentiment.
When asked about the 53-year-old's comments, the Taoiseach initially joked: "I always dreamed I’d win an All-Ireland with Cork. We all dream."
He later clarified he didn't know the context of the comments, but that Ryan would be "very welcome to come into politics".
He added: "I don’t know whether he was serious about that or not, but I do know he’s very conscious of his heritage and he’s very conscious of his family background, which has been a very distinguished one.
"His grandfather Sean Tubridy was a very distinguished founding member of Fianna Fáil and TD at the very start of the party, from 1926, he would have been a member and then elected in subsequent general elections, and was a GP as well, and a person of considerable esteem.
"He has the DNA. He has the interest because I’ve read his books on John F Kennedy and on the Kennedy family, and of course he’s always had an interest in current affairs. So, yeah, I mean, up to Ryan."
Mr Doyle and Mr Kenny also highlighted how another Irish celebrity ran for office in Galway recently.
However, Mr Doyle added that while it "didn't go well for Gráinne Seoige", for Ryan Tubridy? "Maybe."
Main Image: Ryan Tubridy Pic: PA Wire/PA Images
