Richard Bruton says he has been taken "completely by surprise" by the social media frenzy that has seen him dubbed the 'Minister for Abs'.
Earlier this week, Fine Gael published a video featuring the Dublin Bay North TD promoting his area as a tourism destination.
The video received some unexpected social media attention after people began to praise the fitness levels of the 67-year-old politician, who was seen in the video emerging from the water after a swim.
He was swiftly dubbed "Richard 'Beefcake' Bruton" on social media, with one Twitter user suggesting that "nothing prepares you for Richard Bruton’s six pack".
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar even commented on Deputy Bruton's "beach bod", while Simon Harris joked that his former Cabinet colleague had "set the bar too high" for other TD's staycation videos.
🐟 🚲 🏊♂️ @RichardBrutonTD shows you his top activities in Howth and the surrounding areas for your #Staycation2020.
From October, you can avail of our new scheme on your food and accommodation costs.
More: https://t.co/8rzdSLqtM1 pic.twitter.com/jxsLpsQKT9— Fine Gael (@FineGael) July 29, 2020
Henry McKean caught up with Deputy Bruton for The Hard Shoulder.
The Fine Gael TD said: "[The reaction] has taken me completely by surprise. I do the same things every day: I go for the odd cycle, a swim, I run.
"The purpose of this was to promote north Dublin... I never dreamt it would get the traction it did.
"It's all good fun - and if it encourages people to come and holiday here all the better for us."
He does believe it will be a passing moment, as that is the nature of social media.
However, he observed: "It does portray a politician in [a way] a little bit out of the ordinary. We're often seen as people in grey suits being chased around television studios to answer questions.
"Behind that, there's always a real person. Social media does open up a window on what people are really like. I never expected it would be quite like this.
"My main vehicle is Instagram, where I usually promote cooking... that was the height of my ambition on social media up until this."
Asked whether Hollywood has now come knocking, Deputy Bruton said: "I missed my calling - it was Bruton instead of Burton... if I only had one switch of letter I may have had Hollywood at my door.
"But it didn't work out so well for him, so maybe I'm as well off."
