On The Hard Shoulder today, Newstalk reporter Henry McKean shared another episode of ‘Henry’s Front Bench’, where he sits down with election candidates up and down the country on park benches for a chat.

Independent politician Michael Healy-Rae was next up for a park bench chat with Henry.

First up, Deputy Healy-Rae spoke about the legacy of politics in his family.

“I'm very proud of the fact that the late Jackie Healy-Rae was an excellent director of elections,” he said.

“I directed his three general elections, and I'm so glad now that my son is directing his fourth general election.

“To be honest with you, it's like a football player or anything, I think he's getting better and better at it all the time.

“I think that at the moment, he's not just directing an election, he's actually on fire with it.”

Kerry Councillor Jackie Healy-Rae with his father Michael Healy-Rae TD. Image: Twitter

Deputy Healy-Rae took the opportunity to thank those canvassing with him.

“I would be nothing, absolutely nothing, without the people that are standing with me and that will walk the roads with me,” he said.

“They will go out in the rain and get drowned wet into their skin, looking for votes, whether they're first or seconds or whatever preference votes, and meeting the people and asking them and debating on the doorstep about what's happening, what's not happening, what should be happening and all of that,” he said.

The TD said he would have no problem joining a coalition Government if they “wanted” him and if he thought he would get “results for county Kerry and for the country”.

“What I won't do is sell my soul for nothing, and I don't want to be something for myself,” he said.

“I don't need somebody to drive my car, I'm perfectly capable of driving it myself.

“I'm quite happy being a TD, but what I want is to be able to deliver for a county Kerry.

“I believe I have been delivering - I believe I'm in a good, hard, working down to earth person representing people.”

Pictured (L to R) TDs Danny Healy-Rae with Michael Healy-Rae outside Leinster House 10/7/2019 Photo: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

Sinn Féin’s stance on carbon taxes has rubbed Deputy Healy-Rae up the wrong way, he said.

“Sinn Féin are saying now at the moment, ‘We want to reduce the price of petrol in diesel’,” he said.

“Sure, they were all for the carbon taxes, they were far the climate bill, they said that they weren't going far enough, quick enough - and now they realise it’s hurting people.

“Now there's an election and they're all promising everybody now.

“What I'm promising people to do in the future is what I've been doing in the past, stand up for them.”

The Kerry man said he has “no problem in the world” agreeing that climate change needs to be dealt with but he has a problem with how it’s currently being done.

“For God's sake, we’ve lost the run of ourselves, and we are actually hurting the environment by many of the changes that we've actually made,” he said.

Photo shows Independent politicians and brothers Danny (1stR) and Michael Healy-Rae (Flat cap glasses) at hospitality sector protest. 15/10/2024 Photo: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ie

Deputy Healy-Rae admitted that he never sleeps in past five in the morning.

“That's regardless of what time I go to bed,” he said.

“I never, in my life, I'd say, since I was a child, I never went to bed the same day I got up, so, I mean, you can do the sums yourself, but I'm very lucky.

“Thanks be to God - and by the way, I believe in God - I have good health.

“I'm able to do with very, very little sleep, and I think that gives me an advantage on other people who are not as lively when it comes to representing people.

“I have the drive and I have the energy, and I have it better now than I ever.”

A billboard on the side of a house for Michael Healy Rae. Image: Alamy

The Kerry man is “actually a quiet person”, he said.

Deputy Healy-Rae drove a digger for “years and years” and said that it is “quite a solitary job”.

“You're usually on your own, you're listening to the radio.

“I'm quiet but I obviously have to talk - I have to be out there.

“But at the same time, I like being alone with my thoughts at times, because, by God, I have a lot to think about.”

Deputy Healy-Rae said he thinks he has “the experience” to sit in the next Dáil Éireann.

Listen back here:

Main image: R, Henry McKean, L, Michael Healy-Rae. Image: Newstalk