Seán wages campaign to secure ministerial experience

When Kerry transition year student Seán Hurley writes up his ‘placement report’, it will, by necessity, be somewhat incomplete.

The 16-year-old yesterday embarked on a week-long stint shadowing Arts, Heritage, and Gaeltacht Minister Jimmy Deenihan.

Seán, who attends Mercy Mounthawk, will access all areas with the minister, except the Cabinet chamber and a few other behind-closed-doors situations.

He will also be expected to turn a deaf ear in the ministerial car when Mr Deenihan is on the phone discussing matters of state.

To secure his placement, Seán — with true political meticulousness — waged a strong campaign during which he kept phoning ministerial secretaries and frequently attended Mr Deenihan’s constituency clinics.

And his persistence paid off. He said: “I got a message last week. I was told to be ready at 8am yesterday at my home in Oakview, Tralee.

“I was amazed when the minister pulled up in his car with his driver and told me ‘hop in’.”

First port of call was the University of Limerick, where Mr Deenihan launched a one-year arts festival organisation MA, the first of its kind.

It was then back to Kerry and a series of meetings and appointments in Killarney and Tralee.

Seán said: “He’s on the phone in the car a lot. Obviously, I will not be saying or writing anything which is political business. We are getting on fine, the three of us.

“I am very interested in politics and keep up with current affairs and this is a fantastic opportunity to get close-up to a major politician at work.”

Mr Deenihan said Seán showed great determination in pursuing his objective. “He kept contacting my office and turned up several times at clinics,” he said. “I always admire that and I have taken him on board for the week. Obviously I can’t take him everywhere. He’ll have to sit out the cabinet meeting!”