If you need a shower rail, a cataract op… or a machine, I’m your man!

Many people see Kerry politician MICHAEL HEALY-RAE as a rock of regional common sense. Here, he discloses his secret passions – including vintage cars, engines and guns – and explains why it pays to ask for help when you need it.

Are rural people better with money than city folk?

If you were brought up with want [as many older people were] you will never forget what want is. It’s very hard for some young people to remember or even dream what it would be like. When my mother came from America to live in Ireland – she had been working in the Empire State Building – she was literally living in the house that had no electricity and no running water! They were very selfsufficient. They’d have their own eggs… and make their own bread.

What do you advise people who come to you with financial issues?

People pay a lot of tax… but many, many, many times people don’t actually think about the things that they are entitled to. One of your jobs as a politician is to make sure that people know what’s available for them and explain that there is help and assistance.

What issues pop up most?

Sometimes people might have issues with their houses. It could be essential repairs… and they don’t realise there’s assistance available. It might be making a bathroom more user-friendly through the disability grants and making levelaccess showers… or railings put outside the property to make it safer for people.

What else do you do?

People were going blind while waiting to have cataracts removed because the waiting list is so long so I organised trips to the North.

What do you advise in relation to business debt?

If I didn’t ever have the ability to borrow money, well, then I couldn’t do what I do. I actually started borrowing money at a very, very young age… maybe 18 or 19… just literally going in and meeting a local bank manager. I’ll never forget him. He’s still alive.

What would you say to someone starting a business now?

It is more difficult now than ever before with high wages, insurance and energy costs… but that still shouldn’t turn people off. You start with nothing and that’s great because if you finish up with nothing you haven’t lost anything.

What do you say to people who simply can’t make ends meet?

Reach out and say, ‘I need help’. There are organisations that I have great respect for like MABS and De Paul.

What did your own parents teach you about money?

[They had] a work ethic and this whole idea of not wasting time. The really valuable thing in life is time. You can never get it back.

Do you have a hobby?

I like vintage cars and machinery because I make a living out of machinery… anything with an engine. I’m also interested in guns and all that sort of thing.