Ryan Tubridy has given the strongest indication yet that he will pursue a political career, revealing he is ‘fascinated’ by politics and ‘Fianna Fáil as a party’.
Mr Tubridy, who currently hosts his own podcast and radio show on Times Radio and writes a weekly column for the Irish Mail on Sunday, made the comments at a Fianna Fáil centenary event.
The 53-year-old was once the face of RTÉ and hosted The Late Late Show and his own Radio 1 programme. However, he became embroiled in controversy after it emerged he was the beneficiary of a secret payment from RTÉ that had not been publicly disclosed.
Ultimately, he left the station over the matter. Mr Tubridy took some time away from the spotlight following appearances in front of Oireachtas committees. Prior to the controversy, he had been touted as a potential Presidential candidate for Fianna Fáil.
The former Late Late Show host has strong links to Fianna Fáil, with relatives on both sides serving as TDs and ministers for the party. His grandfather in Galway, Dr Seán Tubridy, served as a TD, with his mother’s family, the Andrews clan, also serving as TDs, ministers and MEPs.
He is a first cousin of both Barry Andrews, a Fianna Fáil MEP, and Chris Andrews, a Sinn Féin senator. He is also a cousin of David McSavage, the satirist and comedian.
Speaking at a centenary event for the party in Galway last weekend, he was asked whether he would consider a career in politics. He replied: ‘How can I not?’
The comments were first reported in the Connacht Tribune yesterday. He 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.’
The Connacht Tribune reported that he drew laughter from the crowd in attendance when he imagined the headlines if he ever ran for election.
‘Deputy Tubridy in Galway West, reclaiming his grandfather’s seat on the second count,’ he said. ‘Every night of my life I go to bed dreaming “some day”.’
Fianna Fáil TD for Galway West John Connolly, who ran alongside media personality Gráinne Seoige in the last general election, said family members of previous TDs for the constituency were invited to the centenary event and that Mr Tubridy had ‘kindly’ accepted.
He added: ‘His grandfather was a TD in the 1920s. Everybody is aware of the Andrews connection but less people are aware that his grandfather Seán Tubridy was a TD from 1927 to 1932 and he died in office.’
Seán Tubridy represented Galway in Dáil Éireann from 1927-32 and Galway West from 1937 until his death in 1939. Mr Connolly added: ‘He [Ryan Tubridy] possibly has a future in politics; who knows.’ He said Mr Tubridy’s remarks may have been humorous in nature.
The broadcaster also hinted at further personal news that he would share in the future, telling attendees at the centenary event: ‘I have two daughters aged 27 and 21.
‘And I have some news to share with you another time. The main thing is that we have these two young women in my life who are interested, curious, smart and not cynical and not anti-politics. If you read the papers today, you wouldn’t think this room would be jammed full of people from Fianna Fáil. It is really inspirational for my daughters.
‘Politics can be messy, careers can be messy – who are you talking to!’
Mr Tubridy was contacted for comment.
