Some Irish politicians and would-be-politicians have managed to produce some thoroughly, eh, interesting material in the run up to the looming local and European elections.
Let’s take a look at some of the choice offerings which range from stupid, to cringe, to hilarious, but not in that order.
Richard Bruton strips down to explain the new pay-related Jobseeker’s Benefit.
As the title suggests, Richard Bruton stripped down to his sea-shorts to explain the new pay related job seekers benefit to you plebs.
🚨ALERT:🚨
🛥️ Here’s @RichardbrutonTD on a BOAT to explain the new pay-related Jobseeker's Benefit, which @ReginaDo worked on.
On June 7th, vote No.1 Regina Doherty in Dublin. pic.twitter.com/d8ku3p3qTC
— Fine Gael (@FineGael) May 30, 2024
Bruton dives into the cold (by the look of his nipples) waters of Howth in order to highlight Regina Doherty’s work on the scheme while she was Minister for Social Protection and to ask voters to give her their number 1 for the European elections.
Thankfully, current Minister Heather Humphrys was able to explain the scheme while remaining fully clothed and on dry land which you can read about here.
Local election candidate encounters Pat Mustard’s ‘lonely’ housewife.
Green Party local election candidate, Rob O’Donnelll, borrowed a sketch from Fr. Ted for his campaign.
The Limerick LEA candidate had himself photoshopped into the scene where newly-appointed milkman, Fr. Dougal McGuire finds himself dropping off two pints of milk to a bored housewife who mistakes him for the hairy-baby-maker, Pat Mustard.
This one is just pure comedy.
Another lovely reception on the doors in #Limerick !!
(I swear I actually have good policies and a vision for County Limerick too 😅) pic.twitter.com/v3nrLwmCGY
— Rob O'Donnell ⭕ (@RobODomhnaill) May 31, 2024
MEP Maria eating snacks so you can get to know her.
Maria Walsh of “male, pale, and stale” fame showcased that she was born in America by comparing Irish snacks to similar ones from across the pond. Fascinating.
More Youtube filler than politics, Walsh munches a burger, crisps etc while taking time between mouthfuls to say that she is passionate about supporting rural infrastructure and SMEs.
🍫🍔@MariaWalshEU was born in the USA, but does she prefer Irish or American snacks?
Watch her put them to the test in #SnackWars & discuss her policies.
On June 7th, vote No.1 Maria Walsh in Midlands North-West. pic.twitter.com/DXxAP2aqk9
— Fine Gael (@FineGael) June 2, 2024
Micheal Leahy of IFP performs ‘far-right’ rendition of Frank Sinatra classic.
European election candidate for Ireland-south Michael Leahy sang a ‘far-right’ rendition of the classic Frank Sinatra hit, ‘That’s life’.
There are times you just gotta sing it.
"Far Right" in Ireland refers to women with prams, to working men with families trying to put food on the table and protect their families. Maybe we should all embrace our inner "Far Right".
Enjoy, and with compliments to old Blue Eyes." pic.twitter.com/r0yGWacCCj— Michael Leahy (@LeahyMaleahyml) May 27, 2024
Leahy of the Irish Freedom Party accompanied the video of his vocal performance with the caption “There are times you just gotta sing it.
“Far Right” in Ireland refers to women with prams, to working men with families trying to put food on the table and protect their families. Maybe we should all embrace our inner “Far Right”.
Enjoy, and with compliments to old Blue Eyes.”
Pretty catchy to be fair.
Simon Coveney jumps over a very low hurdle on horseback.
Simon Coveney gets on a lovely horse in this one and works up from cantering all the way to a death defying ‘jump’ over a hurdle that looks about as high as a large box of cornflakes.
🐎Watch @simoncoveney take the reins as @ninacarberry explains her top four priorities👇
This Friday, vote No.1 Nina Carberry and No.2 @MariaWalshEU in Midlands North-West. pic.twitter.com/AWSuQ1i7lz
— Fine Gael (@FineGael) June 5, 2024
Notice how the camera cuts to a view from underneath the horse just as it makes the ‘jump’, presumably to discourage anyone from trying something so dangerous at home.
Safety first!
https://t.co/zCN6PCxiZy pic.twitter.com/AQMmx7aIUz
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) June 5, 2024
Midleton LEA candidate for Fine Gael makes use of surname to form interesting slogan.
Fine Gael candidate for Midleton, Rory Cocking, erected some rather eye-catching posters. Enough said.
If anyone has a better double entendre politics poster speak now or forever hold your peace. @electionlit #LE24 Puns in the replies are highly anticipated. pic.twitter.com/VLEziTeKAx
— Tull McAdoo (@TullMcAdoo) June 4, 2024
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee urges voters to give their number 1 to John Mullins.
Fine Gael European candidate John Mullins shows off his acting skills in a 007 skit where he says he has “a licence to deliver”.
This Friday, vote No.1 Mullins. John Mullins.
Licence To Deliver.@JohnMullinsFG pic.twitter.com/o1fY9hTU2w
— Fine Gael (@FineGael) June 3, 2024
Mullins can also be seen ditching forms before jumping into a tractor in yet another FG ad that seemingly borrows from Father Ted skits.
🚜 @JohnMullinsFG will SMASH red tape for farmers!!
On June 7th, vote No.1 John Mullins in Ireland South. pic.twitter.com/l5g50Wi7SA
— Fine Gael (@FineGael) June 1, 2024
Regina Doherty does Mrs. Doyle-style silent sign drop at Dublin portal.
Senator Regina Doherty visited the infamous Dublin – New York portal to inform onlookers in the Big Apple of her intention to run for the European elections.
.@ReginaDo said hello to NYC🇺🇸through the portal and told them about her campaign to be MEP for Dublin🇮🇪
This was their reply👇 pic.twitter.com/Edfqj1EQIb
— Fine Gael (@FineGael) June 4, 2024
Doherty – who previously claimed that there as as many as nine genders – help boards with messages about her election campaign for reasons best known to whoever in Fine Gael is turning the party into a discount version of Buzzfeed.
Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle O’Neill’s two-headed monster clip.
Last, and in fairness probably least, we have Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle O’Neill on the campaign trail in Cork.
Dia dhuit from the Rebel County! @moneillsf #cork #ireland #le2024 pic.twitter.com/lHieJquO6K
— Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) June 1, 2024
This looks more like an embarrassing story your auntie might post on Facebook stories after getting cosy with the open bar at a wedding and less like anything got to do with politics, but there you have it.
Maybe the bit of sunshine went to their heads! Those hijabs might have come in handy.