'Up to Ryan Tubridy' if he wants to run for Fianna Fáil, Micheál Martin says

Micheál Martin said Ryan Tubridy 'has the DNA. He has the interest'

Ryan Tubridy 'dreams' about reclaiming his grandfather Sean Tubridy’s seat in Galway.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said is “up to Ryan Tubridy” whether he wants to run for election with Fianna Fáil, but that he “has the DNA”.

The Fianna Fáil leader said the former RTÉ broadcaster has Fianna Fáil ancestry on both sides of his family, with both the Andrews and Tubridy families heavily involved with the party since its formation.

Mr Tubridy said last weekend that he was considering a move into politics while speaking at a Fianna Fáil centenary event in Galway.

The Connacht Tribune reported that Mr Tubridy, aged 53, “dreams” about reclaiming his grandfather Sean Tubridy’s seat in Galway.

He said: “Deputy Tubridy in Galway West, reclaiming his grandfather's seat on the second count. Every night of my life I go to bed dreaming 'some day'.” 

When these comments were put to the Taoiseach, Mr Martin said he had “always dreamed he’d win an All-Ireland with Cork”, before adding that he was not been “disparaging”.

Mr Martin said that while he did not know the context of Mr Tubridy’s remarks, he would be “very welcome to come into politics”, and that “I've always encouraged young people to participate in politics”.

When asked if he would want Mr Tubridy to run for Fianna Fáil, the Taoiseach remarked it is “up to Ryan”.

“He's very conscious of his heritage, and he's very conscious of his family background, which has been a very distinguished one,” Mr Martin said.

“His grandfather Sean Tubridy was a very distinguished founding member of Fianna Fáil, and a TD at the very start of the party.

“Then, of course, the Andrews family, Pat Andrews, David Andrews, made distinctive contributions to Irish public life, and of course, Barry Andrews is a member of the European Parliament.

“[Ryan Tubridy] has the DNA. He has the interest.” 

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Mr Martin previously faced backlash from members of his party when former Dublin GAA manager Jim Gavin was selected to contest the 2025 presidential election as the Fianna Fáil nominee.

He later withdrew from the race after it emerged he had not disclosed a rental dispute with a former tenant to Fianna Fáil.

When asked by the Irish Examiner if he was not scared of fielding celebrity candidates after his previous attempts, Mr Martin responded, “Ah, would you stop.”

• Louise Burne, political correspondent