Finian unplugged… what he really thinks

McGrath on: Strategic Unit Communications

‘I AM with Leo [pictured] on this one,’ he says. ‘I thought John Concannon and the SCU were a great outfit. They were shafted by sections of the media and by sections of the internal Government – sections of the press offices in Government departments who were looking after their vested interests.

‘You can take it that we were all cheesed off [about the unit being wound down]. It was our only way of getting out what we do. You guys in the media and the internal PR guys forced the Taoiseach to scrap the SCU. I think that’s unethical.’

McGrath on: Taoisigh Ahern and Cowen

‘I knew Bertie from being around the northside and from going to matches at Parnell Park. ‘As a young teacher, I taught in his constituency when he was at the height of his power. ‘He used to be outside my school canvassing during elections. He used always knock on my door to ask: “Do you mind if I give out a few leaflets?” ‘He’d be outside the gate, I’d always have a chat with him and raise a few issues about education. So, yes, I knew Bertie [below] personally. when he rang me up, I had no problem doing a deal with him. I got on very well with him although I disagreed with a lot of the stuff he was involved in personally – I just think he mishandled a lot of things. ‘I knew Brian when I came in here in 2002 and he was in oppostion. I always got on very well with him and had a grá for him because, when he was minister for finance, he was the first minister ever to bring in a totally pro-disability budget.

‘They were very different people – Bertie was open, warm, energetic, friendly; Brian then was quieter but totally focused on the job. I think he was very unlucky to get the job when he did. On a private, human level, he was very nice.’

McGrath on: Those extended Dáil holidays

‘A LOT of the good work we do in Government is ignored. ‘For example, reports that TDs go on three months’ holidays are the biggest load of bull I’ve heard. ‘Take the Cabinet – we have three more Cabinet meetings – and I have the launch of a taskforce next week. ‘I’m out the door with constituency work, ministerial meetings, estimates meetings… ‘Yet Mrs O’Brien and Mrs Doherty up in Artane all think I’m skiving off for three months’ holidays. That annoys me about the media. ‘Society has become more aggressive and social media is more spontaneous. ‘Third-level colleges need to look at students’ training – they need experience in life to understand what is really going on.’

McGrath on: A free press and the media

THERE are a lot of us in Government, who are not happy with the media,’ ‘Politicians are accountable to the media and society. And we all support the free press but our problem is that most of the press that you get when you are in Government and in power is 90% negative. And that is our problem,’ he said. ‘I went into the Dáil Chamber and I announced a lovely Bill, that gave 14,000 free GP cards to carers – 95% of the media totally ignored it. ‘I went out and said something about the presidency and it got covered. ‘I don’t mind the media marking us – If we cock up absolutely it should be covered.’