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Tánaiste and Leader of Fianna Fáil, Micheál Martin, speaks to locals while canvassing with Fianna Fail’s Dublin Bay South election candidate Jim O’Callaghan in Rathmines

Micheál Martin hasn't eaten a biscuit in 30 years and other insights from a canvass in Rathmines

The bike shed, rising rents, disability services and the cost of childcare were all raised with the Tánaiste and Jim O’Callaghan.

ELECTION CANVASSES CAN be revealing. 

Micheál Martin’s walkabout with Jim O’Callaghan in Rathmines today was one such event that gave an insight into the lifestyle of the Fianna Fáil leader, who is a well-known health fanatic. 

He drinks green tea, he doesn’t eat chips or toast, and today we learned that he hasn’t eaten a biscuit in 30 years. THIRTY YEARS. 

Taking a tea break in The Pantry in the Swan Centre with his Dublin Bay South candidate, Martin chose a rhubarb crumble as his sustenance.

“Your healthy reputation will be going down the drain,” joked O’Callaghan.

His ‘people’ pointed to Martin’s choice, stating: “Look, it isn’t porridge.” 

“Bacon and cabbage later,” laughed Martin. 

After shaking the hands of some diners, Martin headed into the nearest health food store.

Whether it was for penance or just to assuage his guilt of the crumble, who knows, but Martin did confirm he was in search of magnesium for O’Callaghan.

“It helps you sleep,” he said. 

Clearly the healthy eating and supplements are working, as a few members of the public in the shopping centre remarked on Martin’s appearance, with one telling this reporter “he’s holding up well”.

Today’s canvass was revealing in other ways, apart from the Fianna Fáil leader’s dietary habits. 

Fianna Fail campaign-13_90717100 Tánaiste and Leader of Fianna Fáil, Micheál Martin with Fianna Fail’s Dublin Bay South election candidate Jim O’Callaghan in The Pantry in Rathmines. RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

Issues raised with Micheál Martin

Those that were canvassed raised a number of issues, many of which are at the centre of this election. 

The bike shed, rising rents, disability services and the cost of childcare were all raised with Martin and O’Callaghan. 

A number of passersby on the streets of Rathmines remarked on Martin’s appearance on RTÉ’s Claire Byrne show earlier today, stating that they were impressed by him. 

“I think I might have to change my politics now,” she told Martin after telling him she had tuned into the interview. 

“I have never voted for you before but I am now,” said another woman, who told the Fianna Fáil leader that she is an ex-teacher.

“I’ve been insulted,” she said, speaking to last week’s controversy over Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary at a Fine Gael event and his remarks about not hiring teachers if you want things to get done. 

Maneuvering her trolley around the canvass comotion, one woman told The Journal that she found Martin “very personable”.

“They’re [Fianna Fáil] not doing a bad job,” she said, stating that “it is a strange world right now” and she wouldn’t want to deviate to vote for someone new. 

“You wouldn’t know what they would do,” she added. 

A pharmacist raised concerns he had about pay and conditions for those in his profession, telling Martin “just don’t forget about us”. 

One man raised the issue of childcare costs, stating that while he welcomes promises to reduce the costs, his family has had trouble finding a creche place. 

An older woman stopped the party leader to tell him she is renting and it much too high. 

Martin spoke to her about the rent tax credit she is entitled to, telling her that his party wants to double it if they get into government again. 

“What about a rent freeze?” she asked, something a number of opposition parties are committing to if they get into government. 

The Fianna Fáil leader said his concern is such a move would make smaller landlords exit the market, an assertion that is unproven

“Oh yeah, okay,” she replied, stating: “I will be voting for you anyway, as I like you.” 

“I hope you become Taoiseach,” she told him, before getting back to her shopping.

Another raised a personal housing issue which she said had her very worried. O’Callaghan asked her to send on the correspondence and he would look into the matter for her. 

Living down the ‘disastrous’ bikeshed 

Another older woman going about her business had some home truths for the two men, telling them that while she did hope Martin would become the next Taoiseach, he needed to sort out the supports for those with disabilities and their carers. 

“You are very bad at looking after the physically disabled,” she said, highlighting concerns about wheelchair access, in particular.

“They have to fight for every single thing,” she said, adding: “You are going to have to do something for carers.”

Many carers are older people, she explained, stating that it is too much for many of them to handle. 

Martin said a “whole of government approach” is needed. 

Fianna Fail campaign-18_90717104 Tánaiste and Leader of Fianna Fáil, Micheál Martin, speaks to locals while canvassing with Fianna Fail’s Dublin Bay South election candidate Jim O’Callaghan in Rathmines

The woman smirked and said she didn’t want to have to raise it, but decided to go there. 

“The disastrous bike shelter. You’ll have to live that down,” she told them. She held off on any more criticisms stating: “That’s enough thorns in your side from me today.” 

She said she would vote for O’Callaghan but added: “You’ll have to deliver the goods.” 

A number of people also told the party leader they would be tuning into tonight’s TV debate on RTÉ, but joked that Martin would hardly get a word in with ten politicians on the panel. 

“It’s madness,” said one shop worker.

Butlers Cafe was another pit stop along the way. A man, who previously lived in the US, told Martin that he was “doing a great job, keep it up”. 

One shopper stopped Martin for a selfie, telling reporters later that she thinks Martin is “getting more popular as time goes on”.

Fianna Fail campaign-2_90717095 Micheál Martin holds up a Civil War politics book in Dubray books in Rathmines. Rollingnews.ie Rollingnews.ie

When asked what she thought of Simon Harris, she said he seemed nice, but a “bit giddy”. 

Dubray Bookshop was also paid a visit. Bookshops are the party leader’s “heaven”, he said.

He said his kids often give out to him and his gifting choices at Christmastime, telling him ‘not another book’. 

Martin and O’Callaghan browsed some historical books. Martin held up a book entitled ‘Atlas of the Irish Civil War’, which O’Callaghan was recommending.

Civil war politics appeared to come to an end when Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael went into government last time around. Perhaps this bedtime reading for Martin will inspire him to do so again.

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    Mute Shaun Gallagher
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    Nov 18th 2024, 6:21 PM

    Any journalists out there to ask a few hard questions at all. We need Vincent Browne back

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    Mute Tony Gleeson
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    Nov 18th 2024, 6:23 PM

    @what about pension who paid tax a prsi all there life

    41
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    Mute Criostoir Mac Raghnaill
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    Nov 18th 2024, 10:27 PM

    @Tony Gleeson: Who is doing anything about the Bonkers Pension System inflicted on people who only get a percentage of the 12 euro introduced in the budget together with living with a reduced contributory pension

    15
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    Mute Kevvy kerrr
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    Nov 18th 2024, 6:14 PM

    Wow MM doesn’t have a fig roll with the 11 o clock coffee, riveting. Strange comments are closed on the fact genocide joey is adamant the world is dragged to the presipice of WW3 & he wants Europe & NATO involved too……… Surely there’s some in the democrats that’ll stop this escalation until 20th Jan when an actual President with a mandate takes control

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    Mute Frank Mc Carthy
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    Nov 18th 2024, 6:17 PM

    @Kevvy kerrr: frightening developments for sure!! People talk about the ‘dawn’ of peace but it’s worth remembering it’s always DARKEST just before the dawn

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    Mute Brian
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    Nov 18th 2024, 6:32 PM

    @Frank Mc Carthy: Where is this magic phone call? He said he wouldn’t even have to be in office.. would have it sorted in 24 hrs he said. Why is The President of Peace leaving all this unnecessary death and destruction to happen when he has the power to make it stop with one phone call.. Ohh.. that’s right cause he’s full of siht just like you Ken..

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    Mute Frank Mc Carthy
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    Nov 18th 2024, 6:34 PM

    @Brian: brenny, you’re aware the INAUGURATION OF PEACE isn’t until jan20th right?????

    24
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    Mute Kevvy kerrr
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    Nov 18th 2024, 6:36 PM

    @Frank Mc Carthy: wasting time there Frank, thats one of brennys “new” stock

    14
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    Mute Louis Jacob
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    Nov 18th 2024, 6:42 PM

    @Brian: The Maga crowd have gone nuts since election day. You’d imagine a dog would calm down once it finally caught it’s tail. But no; they’re rabid.

    13
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    Mute Brian
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    Nov 18th 2024, 7:14 PM

    @Louis Jacob: ” Before I even arrive at the Oval office.. shortly after we win the presidency, I will have the horrible conflict between Russia and Ukraine settled” Poor Ken, Frank, Kevvy, Buster etc… cant even keep up with the B/S his “president of peace” spouts. We have to wait until inuargation now apparently for the magic phone call.. lol

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    Mute another one? what's going on is the semi state sec
    Favourite another one? what's going on is the semi state sec
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    Nov 19th 2024, 5:25 AM

    @Brian: His low brow followers will believe anything!

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    Mute Nigel Hayden
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    Nov 18th 2024, 6:14 PM

    But he’s definitely taking the biscuit

    161
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    Mute Michael o connor
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    Nov 18th 2024, 10:04 PM

    @Nigel Hayden: that developers money was accidentaly lodged into the private bank account of his wife!

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    Mute Phillip Smyth
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    Nov 18th 2024, 6:29 PM

    Jammie dodgers.

    143
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    Mute Freda Peeple
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    Nov 18th 2024, 6:37 PM

    Everyone knows elderly lizards don’t eat biscuits.

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    Mute Alan Moloney
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    Nov 18th 2024, 6:41 PM

    @Freda Peeple: who paid the bill today

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    Mute Jp Cleary
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    Nov 18th 2024, 7:47 PM

    @Alan Moloney: Expenses I guess

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    Mute Michael McGrath
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    Nov 18th 2024, 6:27 PM

    Here we go again another cycle of lies and empty promises to get elected. Also can anyone tell me if an escalated war breaks out in the Ukraine involving does the American election result get canned in favour of an emergency govt seeing as we can’t comment on a man with obvious dementia steering the world towards WW3 The yanks are the best ever at starting wars on other sovereign territories

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    Mute Frank Mc Carthy
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    Nov 18th 2024, 6:31 PM

    @Michael McGrath: NO there’s no ‘canning’ the overwhelming victory for republican party…… scary that jan20th is now so far away…. fingers crossed Joe’s last throw of the ‘dice’ doesn’t lead to thousands more unnecessary deaths

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    Mute Louis Jacob
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    Nov 18th 2024, 6:33 PM

    @Michael McGrath: Jesus, the well is deep, and the conspiratorial thinking fashionable.

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    Mute Michael McGrath
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    Nov 18th 2024, 9:21 PM

    @Louis Jacob: No it’s not it was mentioned by a lot of people a while back maybe in the context that the election might be cancelled if the conflict was escalated to NATO countries, I was just asking the question if it was a possibility that it could happen now considering that’s quite an escalation the US president telling the leader of another country to attack another with weapons “given” to them by the US

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    Mute Tim Brennan
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    Nov 18th 2024, 6:18 PM

    Poor lad fair play no diabetes so

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    Mute KTH
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    Nov 18th 2024, 6:33 PM

    Politicians would say mass to get elected… When elected, they reveal they were atheists the whole time.

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    Mute Tommy
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    Nov 18th 2024, 6:55 PM

    Lads I’m scared that Joe B…..x is going start Nuclear WW3 as he clearly isn’t thinking straight about the consequences and Kamala must have fell out with him after the post election

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    Mute Kevin O Brien
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    Nov 18th 2024, 8:10 PM

    RTEs Miriam o callaghans brother with him you couldn’t make it up wonder what way will the RTE debate go!!!!!!!!!!

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    Mute Frank Mc Carthy
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    Nov 18th 2024, 8:18 PM

    @Kevin O Brien: my money is on whoever have the 750€ Million windfall to RTE will get an easy ride of it,lol

    34
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    Mute Bertie
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    Nov 18th 2024, 7:13 PM

    Porridge is not a healthy breakfast, it’s a sugar rush, bacon is a highly processed food full of chemicals

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    Mute Clare Power
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    Nov 18th 2024, 7:23 PM

    @Bertie: oats are slow release energy…you know you tube is not a good source of info…I have 2 dieticians in family btw

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Nov 20th 2024, 12:56 PM

    @Bertie: Porridge is a very healthy breakfast. If you add sugar that is your choice. Honey is better and bacon if lean is also very health. Our meat unlike say the US is not full of chemicals.
    That is what I have learned from dieticians!

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    Mute SV3tN8M4
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    Nov 18th 2024, 6:56 PM

    Wow, that’s one piece of PR Propaganda by this journalist. O Callaghan being given a free ride by the Media. Any journalists have the balls to ask O Callaghan why he turned down a Junior Ministry offered by Micheal & why he is going for election again if he is turning down Ministries. The lies & empty promises are pissing people off at this stage, don’t vote any of these frauds in, use your vote as a protest & for radical change, rather than putting a man who has been at the top table for 17 years, being Taoiseach & Tanaiste, bankrupted the country & denied bailing out banks & has left us with a massive Housing crisis, Rental crisis, Cost of Living crisis, Health crisis, Immigration crisis, a mess & working families barely surviving, the guy should be in jail.

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    Mute Kevin Kerr
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    Nov 18th 2024, 7:46 PM

    @SV3tN8M4: more of your propaganda nonsense – it is a news report on todays FF election campaign – you know, basic stuff about who was there, where they were, who they met, questions asked, answers given……blah blah blah

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    Mute Michael o connor
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    Nov 18th 2024, 10:09 PM

    @SV3tN8M4: I’ve e mailed Jim O Callaghans personal secretarys numerous times as to how many days Jim has signed into the Dail, and then has left to practice as barrister in the high court? They have refused to answer me. Could any journalist ask him this please?

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Nov 20th 2024, 12:58 PM

    @Michael o connor: You can get the details from Dail Eireann!

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    Mute Alan Moloney
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    Nov 18th 2024, 6:40 PM

    What FF need to do is put money in the working man wallet is that two hard to do after Al the country is a washout with money

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    Mute Kevin O Brien
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    Nov 18th 2024, 8:38 PM

    Why are FFG not making BOI pass on the ECB interest rate cuts to variable mortgage holders is it because the bank lobbyist is an x fine gael Man

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    Mute kevin rock
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    Nov 18th 2024, 8:53 PM

    No ! But he’s been taking the biscuit for the last 30 years

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    Mute Michael o connor
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    Nov 18th 2024, 10:02 PM

    Couldn’t afford the jammiest dodgers once all that developers money was taken back out of the personal bank account of his wife?

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    Mute Brian Hunt
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    Nov 18th 2024, 9:49 PM

    Me’Hole Martin hasn’t told the truth in 30 years and longer!

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    Mute Shaun “Rumplestumplestillskin”
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    Nov 18th 2024, 8:47 PM

    Wow these vampires know how to stay in the shade while they suck the citizens dry

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    Mute Oh Mammy
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    Nov 18th 2024, 10:23 PM

    How could you trust, let alone vote for, a yoke that doesn’t even ate a bickey?

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