In a sensational Hot Press Interview, the Minister With Responsibility for Mental Health & Old People, Jim Daly – who is a father of four children and also fosters kids – confirms that he has no objection to going into government with Sinn Féin.

“We live in a democracy,” he says. “The will of the people has to be respected.

“It would be very difficult to agree a programme for government,” he adds, “but, look, politics is the art of doing, and who knows."

Jim Daly also reveals that his own elderly father has received abusive hate mail over his the Minister’s decision to support the Eighth Amendment; talks about the influence of his wife, Virge – a Lutheran from Estonia; outlines ambitious plans for the mental health services; and he discusses some of the wilder moments of his youth, in relation to the acceptance of drink driving in rural Ireland.

What the Minister says:
On having no objections on principle to SF propping up a FG government in the future, Jim tells us, “I have no ideological objection to Sinn Féin being part of a government. I just think, on a policy platform, it would be very difficult to agree a programme for government between Fine Gael and Sinn Féin. But, look, politics is the art of doing – and who knows?”

In a stance that will prove challenging for the party leadership FG, he adds about SF, “I don’t have an ideological objection. We live in a democracy. The will of the people has to be respected – and Sinn Féin’s mandate is as legitimate as any other party, as far as I’m concerned.”

On his father received abusive hate mail over his stance on the 8th, Jim reveals, “My dad has got some vile post – pictures of foetuses. He’s got some hate mail. He’s 87. Church-going. God-fearing. He’s into his religion and all that. But he has no difficulty with my decision; he’s a man of the world and respects that.”

On the 8th Amendment, Jim says, “I bring an awful amount of conviction to that particular debate. I suppose my own family experience in fostering children and all of that has helped me to realise that not every pregnancy is ideal or welcome or can be accommodated. I’m as pro-life as the next person and want to ensure that life is protected in as many forms as possible. But, again, it’s about acknowledging the reality.”

On getting behind the wheel of a car while over the limit, Jim confesses, “I wouldn’t be proud of my past in that respect. I’m sure, back in the day, in rural Ireland we took chances that were reckless.”

On bringing in the so-called Portuguese Model on drugs, Jim says, “I think prison is the last resource. It should be avoided at all costs. It is a serious flaw in our system, is imprisonment. But that doesn’t mean that legalisation is the answer either. There’s community service and educational programmes – and things like that would be far more constructive ways of dealing with it than prison.”

There is lots more in what is an admirably straightforward and honest interview. And he explains why he has “mixed views” over Minister Shane Ross’s new drink driving laws; and admits that he once ended up in court for illegally selling alcohol after hours when he co-owned a bar with his sister.

This is only a small part of what is a highly engaging and entertaining – as well as very honest and straight-talking – interview with the Minister.

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