Interview with Sinn Féin's Youngest MLA - Daithi McKay

On Monday 23rd March as Gerry Adams and Ian Paisley met for face to face talks, Daithi McKay, Sinn Fein’s youngest MLA took time to speak to Ógra's Barry McNally of his past, the present and his plans for the future.


Sitting in room 385c on the 3rd Floor of Stormont, Daithi McKay lays back oblivious of the task that lies ahead of him in a potentially restored government in the north of Ireland.

The young north Antrim man has been on a roller coaster ride over the past 6 years from his first involvement with republican politics through Sinn Féin to becoming its youngest MLA and proceeding his successor as the youngest MLA- fellow north Antrim man, Philip McGuigan.

Speaking of his early involvement with Sinn Féin Daithi recalls,

“I first got involved with Sinn Féin following the Westminster election in June 2001. Selling An Phoblacht / Republican News throughout the countryside in and around Rasharkin was one of my first jobs within Sinn Féin. Shortly after getting involved I found myself in the post of director of publicity for the party in North Antrim. Also after the Westminster election a number of activists in North Antrim, myself included, came together with the idea of setting up an Ógra Shinn Féin group in the local area, one, which continues to grow from strength to strength today. Moving to Belfast in 2002 due to work commitments I worked along with a Sinn Féin cumann in south Belfast. However I moved back to Rasharkin in 2003 and spent a month in Cuba before returning home to Ireland once again.”

When reflecting upon Daithi’s decision to join Sinn Féin and his motivation he remembers,

“Whilst family tradition certainly wasn’t the motivation my family became supportive of my decision and remain steadfast in the support for what I’m involved in. Certainly in more recent times people are becoming more receptive to Sinn Féin, and I suppose as they say our record stands by us. We deliver for people.

In the Basque Country with Ógra (Sept '05)

I remember growing up the story was quite different with the media regularly vilifying republicans. However through reading more and more and looking in detail at republicans, it was clear to me they weren’t the villains that the media portrayed. The republican politics of idealism and non-careerism really appealed to me and also a willingness to help people. Not for the cause and benefit of Sinn Féin but of the people themselves, with the peoples cause at heart, a concept that most Irish political parties have failed to grasp”

When asked about being elected in ‘Big Ians backyard Daithi stated,

“ I have a role to play, and I am no more important than any one else in the Sinn Féin party. In north Antrim we see ourselves as a team and I am no more than a team player. However what is different is that it has never been easy for republicans in north Antrim in places with Ballymena and Ballymoney. So strong leadership by republicans is key in such areas, something that has been lacking amongst unionist politicians.

In my capacity as a councillor I sit face to face with councillors from the DUP, many of who still engage in sectarian politics in the area. One of the biggest issues here is the equality agenda, which we will be pursuing to implement. What we need to see now is leadership from Unionism in places like North Antrim. Events like the sectarian murder of Michael McIlveen in Ballymena must be consigned to the dustbin of history, Catholic families must be able to live without sectarian harassment or fear of intimidation, particularly in areas such as Ahoghill. The DUP need to begin the work to bring to an end the so called ‘no go’ areas for Catholics. This is the agenda of Sinn Féin, it is simply equality.”

Representing Ógra in Kurdistan (Nov '06)

When asked about how it felt to be the youngest of the Sinn Féin assembly team a modest Daithi replied ‘Alright!’ However he did say ‘everyone in this team are equal. However we do have the best gender balance amongst the parties represented here and everyone within the Sinn Féin team is of various ages. However all in all gender or age doesn’t come into it really. We are all here to do a job to the best of our ability.”

On youth involvement in the political process Daithi said,

“A primary step in gaining youth involvement in the democratic process is lowering to voting age to 16. This is something Sinn Féin have already been calling for and I know Ógra Shinn Féin have been doing great work in trying to achieve this. If people are old enough to pay taxes and be part of the workforce then it is only common sense to allow them to vote."

"The onus shouldn’t be on young people themselves but on elected representatives an others to make politics attractive to young people. Indeed Gerry Adams said that it is his belief that young people aren’t in fact turned off by politics, rather turned off by ‘establishment’ politics. The future is in the youth and time and again we have been shown without a vibrant youth organisation a political party can fade into oblivion. We in Sinn Féin have recognised this and currently there is a strong confident and ever growing youth organisation in Ógra Shinn Fein. The youth must be heard and the mechanisms within the party for them to be heard must be maintained and strengthened.”

Asked about a possible future outside of politics Daithi assumed he would be “definitely involved in something along social or community life. In working in this area you begin to see the changes you make within your community and there is a certain degree of job satisfaction if you call it that. Politics gives you a great chance to work for the community and work for the betterment of the people. But through community work you can improve the quality of life for many people in so many ways and that is what Sinn Féin are about. We are there to work for the people and fight on their behalf.

Speaking at Mass Basque Mobilisation on behalf of Ógra

In conclusion Daithi said,

“Obviously our primary aim at the present moment is getting the devolution of powers to a locally elected accountable administration. Not only this but we need the All Ireland institutions up and running. There are many issues to be dealt with such as PPS14; we need to strike a balance not only to protect the environment but also to ensure that the traditional way of life in Irish rural communities is not lost. We also need to have an improved education system and make sure the old way-including the 11+ exam is consigned to the history books, equality must be the backbone of our education system, which offers opportunity to all our children and not maintain a two tier education system. And we must increase cross border co-operation and stop this business of two different departments operating the same remit on the same island.”

As the interview concluded the restoration of the institution looked even closer with a joint press conference between Gerry Adams and Ian Paisley being screened on the TV in the corner of room 385c.


Quick fire round

Favourites

Film: Motorcycle diaries

Book: The Ragged Trousered philanthropists

Singer: Christy Moore

Food: Sausage supper with Garlic Dip!!!

Drink: Orange Lucozade

Person you would most like to meet (Living) Nelson Mandela

Person you would most like to meet (Deceased) Malcolm X

Future Ambitions: Continue to play a constructive role, alongside others, in securing a 32 county democratic socialist republic,