Hanafin gets lesson in politics of youth

POOR old Bertie was taking a tough grilling down in the Dáil chamber as 11-year-old Sean Mulvany looked on from the wings yesterday afternoon.

“It looks very stressing what happens to all the leaders,” the would-be politician told reporters afterwards as he took his first ever press conference in Government buildings.

Already famed for door stopping the Taoiseach in Dublin’s Fatima Mansions and demanding more playgrounds, Sean has also been on the Ryan Tubridy show outlining his political goals which involve becoming Education Minister.

That appearance on the national airwaves prompted Education Minister Mary Hanafin to invite the perky sixth class pupil from Dublin’s CBS Synge Street school to a formal meeting yesterday.

And while the move could easily be branded as cheap PR for the Government, there was to be fair a genuinely heart-warming sincerity about the whole exercise from Ms Hanafin.

“I think when I was his age I probably was hoping to be education minister as well so it just shows that dreams can come true,” Ms Hanafin said.

Sean told how he had asked Ms Hanafin for “more things for schools and we need more physical sports in schools like running and soccer”.

Like all good politicians he also managed to extract a promise from the minister.

“One of the promises was for more male teachers in schools that can relate to boys,” he said.

But Sean may need a lesson or two in the delicate art of political fudging if he is to make it in the tough world of politics.

Asked about his political affiliation, he said: “I’d like to go onto the Labour Party,” before quickly suggesting a coalition with Fianna Fáil as his new ministerial friend shrieked beside him.