By Kate Heaney
FIANNA Fáil’s newest aspiring politician looking to represent Donegal in Dáil Eireann is 23 year-old Ben Harkin from Termon.
He is one of six party members who are hoping to be selected by the party here to contest the next General Election late this year or early next year.
The nominees so far are Minister Charlie McConalogue, Cllr Donal Mandy Kelly, Cllr Míchael Naughton, Senator Niall Blaney, veteran Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher and Ben Harkin.
Speaking to the Donegal News this week Ben explained how he got involved in politics and what he believes is possible.
A former student at Mulroy College he changed to St Eunan’s College as he wanted to study politics. While at Queen’s University in Belfast he joined Ogra Fianna Fáil after meeting Donegal man Michael Sweeney there and began attending meetings.
Studying Software and Electronic Engineering, his interest in climate change led him to write a book while in first year entitled ‘Time nor Tide, Ireland and Climate Change’.
Pat the Cope Gallagher has been a great support to Ben Harkin
His studies and experience working on the electricity markets and how they function led him to a job in Letterkenny with Electro route, a company specialising in international energy trading and services.
His book led to him giving a presentation to the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party on electricity markets to expand their understanding.
“It was while at Queens I met local man Michael Sweeney who introduced me to Ogra Fianna Fáil. I went to meetings and enjoyed them but then Covid struck,” he said.
“I don’t come from a Fianna Fáil family background.
“I had been thinking about putting my name forward for nomination to be selected to stand in the next General Election particularly when younger people in my area, not all party members, went out of their way to encourage me.
“When you have experience and can show what you have done, it helps when looking to stand.
“However, if experience was what people looked for most, incumbents would never lose an election.
“The reaction I have had has been very positive and people say they want to see a fresh face in there.”
On the issue of seeking to be selected over veteran party members like Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher, Ben said the Dungloe man had been very helpful in getting him included, speaking to the parliamentary party on his behalf.
Minister Charlie McConalogue.
“Fianna Fáil is a democratic party and Pat has been helping me in the party.
“I am a very proud Donegal man and I am ambitious for Donegal. We have had a lot of growth here and investment and that has led to problems in Letterkenny and people looking to move in.
“We are lagging behind other counties in many ways and that needs to change,” he said.
On the issue of defective concrete products the 23 year-old said Fianna Fáil took too long to get to the current scheme for homeowners and it can be improved. Despite the level of political cynicism Ben believes that a lot of young people want to engage with different political parties.
“Ogra Fianna Fáil has a lot of new cumanns being set up. If you are not a member of a party you are not getting your say.”
Ben spoke of the importance of modernising the civil service/ permanent government and making it work more quickly and efficiently, using tools like AI.
“I do hope to be selected and would love the challenge. It depends on how many are selected to stand,” he concluded.
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