Political Platform: Dara Calleary TD

Following in his father’s footsteps, Dara Calleary was first elected as TD for Mayo in the 2007 general election. He served as Minister of State for Labour Affairs and Public Service Transformation (2009 to 2011). Here, he discusses Fianna Fáil’s prospects for a comeback and his preferred budget choices.

How and why did you become involved in politics?

As my father Seán was a Fianna Fáil TD for the Mayo East constituency, I always had a strong interest in current affairs and politics, right back to when I was in my final years of national school. Our house was always one where political discussion and activity was to the fore, and I fondly remember many tales of bygone days right back to local involvement in the Civil War and of past election campaigns, both triumphs and tribulations.

As I moved through secondary school my personal interest in politics intensified and I joined Ógra Fianna Fáil, the youth wing of the party, as a 15-year-old student in St Muredach’s College, Ballina.

I continued to play an active role in Ógra through third level at Trinity College and remained involved up until my mid-20s.
I actually returned to Ógra in 2008 as national chairman following my election to Dáil Éireann in 2007. I was subsequently re-elected as a TD for Mayo in the 2011 general election.

I became involved in politics in the first instance because democracy requires legislators and if no-one came forward to stand for election we would not have democracy.

As my political career developed and I became a public representative, my goals and ambitions remain the same: to do my best for everybody that seeks my assistance; to promote social justice, democracy and fairness; and to attempt to the best of my ability to make people’s lives better.

How can Fianna Fáil regain public support?

There is no doubt that Fianna Fáil is at a crossroads. Many have suggested that the traffic light is stuck on red but I don’t agree. I accept that we need to re-organise and revitalise the party in a root and branch type operation and that is well under way since the general election last year.

Our grassroots membership has felt disconnected from party headquarters and that must be addressed and rectified and the job of renewal has begun in earnest, with strong committees formed in every constituency of the country.

I look at the performance of councillor David McGuinness in the recent Dublin West by-election as evidence that Fianna Fáil is still a viable option for the Irish people and as inspiration to help lead the fightback.

While the parliamentary party may be small in number, we do possess young, energetic and enthusiastic public representatives and it is up to us to bring forward policies that capture the imagination of the public.

Our job is to legislate and this is an opportunity to bring forward policy that assists people in their daily lives and which promotes our core values of democracy, fairness and equality.

How would you solve the problems being experienced in Mayo?

Since being elected for the first time in May 2007 I have dealt with over 7,000 representations for individual constituents in Mayo and I am proud of that fact.

I have always worked to the best of my ability to resolve all issues that come into my constituency office and I am proud of my record of delivery to the county. For example, in my first three years in the Dáil, as a member of government I succeeded in lobbying for over
€40 million of funding that was delivered to community, education, social and sporting projects throughout the county.

Of course things are different now that I am an opposition TD. However, I believe that I am continuing to speak up for the people of Mayo, particularly in the face of many unwarranted and unfair cutbacks.

Many of the problems and issues facing the people of Mayo are replicated throughout the country: unemployment, social welfare, education cuts, health cuts, among others. While I accept that the Government must make difficult choices and there is no magic wand, I would spare cuts to services for older people, people with disabilities and try to keep education cuts to a minimum, while also introducing policy and initiatives aimed at maximising employment opportunities, particularly in the tourism sector.

The Great Western Greenway, constructed under the previous Fianna Fáil government, has proven a massive success and has generated tens of millions of euro in revenue for the county since opening in 2010, while the continued support and development of Ireland West Airport Knock is essential to the growth of the sector.

Clearing the long backlogs in payment of social welfare applications and appeals and maintaining agricultural payments should also be priorities.

Name three people you would invite to a dinner party and why.

John Hume: I have always held former SDLP leader John Hume in very high esteem. He did outstanding work during the civil rights movement and more recently played an integral role in securing lasting peace in Northern Ireland.

Padraig Harrington: a man with family connections in my home town, Ballina, and voted Ireland’s greatest ever sportsperson last year. A cool, calm, composed individual. How did he keep his nerve to win three majors?

Adele: in my opinion one of the outstanding solo artists of the 21st century, to provide the musical entertainment.
How do you like to spend your spare time?

Unfortunately this profession does not allow for much free time but when the opportunity arises I look forward to time spent with my wife Siobhán, family and friends.

I am a member of Ballina Rugby Club and an avid follower of Ballina Stephenites GAA Club and the Mayo football team. We’re quietly confident that 2012 will see James Horan’s green and red army enjoy an extended run in the championship.