Martin Heydon, a Kildare South Fine Gael TD and Minister for State at the Department of Agriculture, is our latest guest on the LaoisToday Talking Politics Podcast.
With Kildare South now taking in a large chunk of Laois including Portarlington, Killenard and Ballybrittas, Deputy Heydon talks about his early life, how he got involved in politics and his rise from councillor to TD to Minister.
He explains how a sports injury while he was still in secondary school sent him down a different route in life and how a central role as an officer with his local GAA club led to him being approached by Fine Gael and being elected to Kildare County Council in 2009 and then to the Dail less than two years later in 2011.
His election success co-incided with Fine Gael going back into Government and he’s now in the slightly unusual position of never having spent a day in opposition.
He chats about the social media attention that politicians receive and what it’s like being in the eye of a storm
And with three young children – and another on the way – he chats about the importance of maintaining a work-life balance as his family grows up.
You can listen to the podcast in full on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Podbean or on Soundcloud below.
SEE ALSO – Talking Politics Podcast: Brian Stanley on early influences, Gerry Adams and the rise of Sinn Féin
SEE ALSO – Talking Politics Podcast: Carol Nolan on her political rise, Sinn Féin and defying the odds
