S.2 Ep.5 - Politics with Minister Michael McGrath

Minister for Reform & Public Expenditure Michael McGrath joins us this week to look at his early life growing up in Cork & what eventually led him to take a seat at Dáil Éireann.

Micheal grew up in Passage West & shares fond memories with his family, reminiscing on his working days as a caddy on the golf course alongside his brothers & father. His interest in finance prompted him to study Commerce in UCC, where he qualified as a chartered accountant.

He spoke of his early career at KPMG to his role as financial controller at RedFM from its inception before returning to his alma matter UCC with a role in finance. However, his love of politics had a strong hold on him & he eventually took the leap to become a Cork City Councillor in 2005. With a strong desire & determination to pursue politics even further, he became a TD with Fianna Fáil in 2007.

During his time in the Dáil, he has seen the financial crash, his party lose their power in Government, the unexpected coalition with Fine Gael & The Green Party where he gained his first ministerial role. He discusses how the parties worked together through the pandemic & continue to do so during challenging times of the cost of living crisis. Tune in to hear how he & the party had to rebuild its credibility following the financial crash, how social media trolls can bring challenges for TD's & his hopes to become Minister for Finance in the coming party reshuffle on the 17th December.

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