Exhausted Renua Ireland TD explains embarrassing interview

The Renua Ireland TD who suffered an embarrassing interview on national radio as his party was launched has said the incident was not caused by a panic attack or failing to read up on the group’s policies.

Dublin North East representative Terence Flanagan made the remarks in his first public appearance since March 13 interview, saying he was so exhausted by the work in setting up a party he was unable to express himself properly.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio’s Sunday With Miriam programme, the TD — who entered the Dáil eight years ago and has been in politics since 2004 — admitted what happened was “very, very bad”.

However, he said the “out- of-body experience” was the result of working too hard and was not caused by a panic attack or a lack of knowledge about what the fledgling party wants to do for the country.

“It was one interview too many for me,” said Mr Flanagan. “There was a six month run-up to the launch. It all took its toll on me. I was exhausted.

“It was an early start, a 6am start. I did a few interviews in the morning and they went very well.

“We celebrated at lunch, but by the late afternoon [when the Drivetime interview took place] the adrenalin was fading,” Mr Flanagan explained during a lengthy live studio interview yesterday.

“It was just a human situation, I had put myself under huge pressure which wasn’t sustainable.

“I was searching for the words [during the interview] and they weren’t there. Sometimes the body gives up when you are pushing it too hard. All of that took its toll on me.”

Renua TD Terence Flanagan speaking to me on @RTERadio1 now pic.twitter.com/jopHCjQwWt

— Miriam O'Callaghan (@MiriamOCal) April 12, 2015

In the immediate aftermath of the Drivetime interview, a number of rival politicians, including former Fine Gael colleagues senators Tony Mulcahy and Martin Conway, Fianna Fáil TD Colm Keaveney, and Fianna Fáil senator Terry Leydon were supportive.

An official from the office of Renua Ireland leader Lucinda Creighton also knocked on his Dáil door, suggesting the interview was not as bad as the Dublin North East TD feared.

When asked yesterday if any questions were asked by Renua Ireland over widespread public views that he had a panic attack or did not read the party’s policies, Mr Flanagan said the issue was never raised and said he was fully informed on what the new political group stands for.

“I did feel like it was an out-of-body experience,” said Mr Flanagan. “It was most unfortunate but pushing one’s body and excessive tiredness doesn’t help.

“I did know the policies but it was just too much for me. It’s done now. I just had to draw a line in the sand and get on with it.”

Dublin TD Terence Flanagan drumming by up support with @MiriamOCal now #renuaireland #politics #fromthearchives pic.twitter.com/STUTIqu2m4

— sportsfile (@sportsfile) April 12, 2015

While Renua Ireland has received a significant amount of attention since the party was finally formed earlier this year, it has provoked criticism in some quarters over its perceived lack of clearly structured policies to tackle key areas of political discussion.

While the party has stressed it is pro business and in favour of reducing taxes on families — issues repeated by Mr Flanagan yesterday — it has yet to fully detail its plans for the health service and other social services, essential platforms for any party seeking widespread electoral support.