Women in Struggle Interview – Cllr Toireasa Ferris

Gemma McKenna
National Gender Equality Officer
Ógra Shinn Féin

Hot of the trail of a European Election, where she helped doubled the Sinn Féin vote in the Southern constituency, narrowly missing out on becoming an MEP, Toireasa Ferris took time out of her busy schedule to do an interview with me for the women in struggle series.


How did you get interested in politics?

It was something that developed from my own life experiences..

Who has been your role model throughout your life?

There are so many, particulary when in our organisation like our own. in political life, Rita O’Hare, Ann O’Sullivan and many more like them, in my personal life my grandmother, considering the parents i have that says an awful lot about the person she was.

What did you learn from your time in Ógra?

That Matt Carthy and Pearse Doherty will one day lead our party to great things!

Have you any major achievements within Sinn Féin or things that you will remember for a long time to come?

Co- chairing the 25th anniversary of the hunger-strikes commemoration in Casement Park, the single greatest honour of my life, nothing will ever beat that.

What were the difficulties of both being a councillor and Mayor?

Trying to remain impartial during debates in the council chamber!

What was the most enjoyable part of these roles?

I love constituency work, love fighting on behalf of those being denied their rights and as mayor we tried to open the office up to the people, give them ownership of it.

How do you balance being a EU candidate and a mother?

I don't! Unfortunately my Liadain doesn't get to see much of me at all.

It’s hard on both of us, but the only positive thing about my family being affected by the recession and Pa being out of work, is that she has one of us with her.

In fact, he’s doing a much better job than I was. In my absence he’s managed to get her out of our bed and into the cot AND sleeping through the night. Bring back the Calor house wife of the year award! Pa will be a serious contender!

What importance do you think Sinn Féin can have within the European Union?

I think we have a hugely important role to play, we are the voice of all the citizens across this island, indeed across Europe, who do not like the direction in which the union is moving. We speak and fight for those who want to see a more democratic, accountable Europe where the economy serves the people rather than the other way around.

How does the being in EU fit into Sinn Féin's overall strategy?

Well as Sinn Féin activists, we are motivated by the belief in social justice and equality, we want to see this for all people not just those here in Ireland.

What has been your greatest challenge yet?

Not to allow myself to be contaminated by Irish politics!

What challenges do you think young political activists now face and how can we overcome those challenges?

The challenge before us as young activists is to reform politics in this country to a system that we can be both excited about and proud of. To do this we need to convince our generation that it does not have to be this way, we deserve better and more importantly we can achieve much better.

How do you think you make politics relevant to young people and what do you think are the major pressing issues for young people?

I think we need to change the game, rhetoric and jargon - Career politicians need to go. We need more and more people who are affected by the issues to get involved to effect real change. But for them to get involved we have to make politics more relevant to them.

The pressing issues for all of us is what shape our future is going to take, for those of us in employment, will that continue, and for those just coming out of college or finishing a trade it's a question of whether there is anything there for them. We also are worried about what kind of an education we will be able to provide our children with and what care we will be able to secure for our parents if and when they need it.

Why do you think more young people need to get involved in politics?

We are the generation worst affected by the mistakes of our politicians and we are the generation that will bring about change

Quick fire Round:

Favourite Food: A Marie Ferris dinner

Favourite song: At the moment........ “Run” - Snow Patrol.

Favourite Films: Legends of the Fall, Cry Freedom.

Favourite past time: don't have any at the moment, SF don't believe in personal time!!

Favourite Book: Nor meekly serve my time

Favourite Quote: “Patriotism is supporting your country all of the time and your government only when they deserve it.”

Favourite Holiday resort: Have never been to one

Person most influential in your life: My grandmother

Person you would like to meet (living): Nelson Mandela

Person you would like to meet (deceased): Maire Drumm

If you were President of Ireland or Taoiseach what 3 things would you do to change Ireland?

Well the president only holds a ceremonial role, if I were Taoiseach I would:

1. Implement our policies on getting Ireland back to work and give some hope for the future to the hundreds of thousands out of work and their families

2. I would end the burden on our tax payers to subsidise private education and health and pension funds for the wealthy and invest that money in providing state of the art services for all the people

3. I would make sure all Irish politicians were able to contribute to Oireachtas debates and make real efforts towards uniting our country.