Presidential hopeful Jim Gavin has said he identifies with younger generations because he considers himself “a young man”, reports Breaking News.
At 54, he expressed pride in representing Fianna Fáil and confirmed his membership in the party.
The former Dublin football manager and ex-Army officer addressed questions about neutrality, the triple lock policy, and his proficiency in the Irish language, reports Breaking News.
Mr Gavin secured Fianna Fáil’s presidential nomination last week, beating out former junior minister Billy Kelleher.
While attending the National Ploughing Championships in County Offaly, he said he had met 15-year-old disability campaigner Cara Darmody and other “inspirational” young individuals, reports Breaking News.
When asked how he planned to connect with young voters, many of whom blame Fianna Fáil for their difficulties, he responded by saying he is a young man.
“I’m very much focused on the future. I’m a young man, I can relate to young people,” he said, reports Breaking News.
“Even today, hearing their stories, meeting Cara (Darmody), I’ve a personal pride in them, seeing their ambition for Ireland, the ingenuity, their vision of what Ireland can be, and that’s where my focus is,” reports Breaking News.
He said he was honoured to run as a Fianna Fáil candidate and noted that his grandparents were involved in the War of Independence.
He also mentioned that former president and Fianna Fáil member Patrick Hillery was a friend of the family.
“I’m a Fianna Fáil member. You know, my mum and dad came from west Clare, it’s a staunch Fianna Fail part of the country, and I’m very proud to represent Fianna Fail and look forward to meeting Fianna Fail members and people who have no party on the campaign,” reports Breaking News.
He said more details of his presidential platform would be shared at his campaign launch next week.
Mr Gavin expressed support for removing the triple lock system for overseas troop deployment but clarified that it was a “personal opinion” and that, as president, he would hold “no political influence”, reports Breaking News.
Regarding his Irish language skills, he said: “I’m very proud of my Irish. I’m not as confident, if I’m very honest, as I used to be in Irish, I would have attended the Gaeltacht as a young guy growing up. It’s very much part of me and, regards what happens in this presidential campaign, I will be getting better at it,” reports Breaking News.
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