Ógra Shinn Féin interview 6 County Education Minister Caitríona Ruane MLA

East Down Ógra Shinn Féin activist Noílín Ní Phoílín interviews Catriona Ruane MLA on her appointment to new Education Minister post in the North.

1. What exactly does your job entail?

A multitude of tasks ranging from meeting teachers, trade unions, pupils and boards of governors to examining legislation and policies that will shape the future of education in the six counties. This could mean addressing a conference of 500 teachers to visiting a small Bunscoil in an isolated rural area.

As Minister for Education, I am answerable to everyone who has been elected to the Assembly and I must be able to explain, on a regular basis, the Department's position on all matters pertaining to my portfolio. I have also to devote time and energy to people at constituency level which means working on a wide range of diverse issues that affect the lives of people and communities in very tangible ways.

Within Sinn Féin, I am also a member of my party's Árd Comhairle.

2. As a leader how would you say you can influence young people?

By trying to engage in as meaningful and as honest a way with young people from every walk of life and to do everything possible to help make a difference in their lives. I therefore believe it is vitally important that I make myself as accessible as possible to all sections of our society, because for too long people were disenfranchised as a result of having to live under successive Direct Rule Administrations that were largely unaccountable.

This means behaving with integrity and remaining true to my personal beliefs and convictions yet still be conscious that we still live in a divided and unequal society where it is important to listen to other view points. Young people have often a fresher and more honest perspective on many issues yet their views are frequently dismissed or marginalised. I believe that by being honest and true to my convictions, and open to the opinions of others, then I can influence young people in a positive way by setting an example that is rooted in the principles of equality and respect.

3. Did you ever think you would get to where you are today and how do you feel about that?

No, not at all- I think there are very few people anywhere who set their goals at a young age believing they would eventually be elected to fulfil an important Governmental position. Certainly, within Irish Republican circles, I don't think anyone until quite recently would have envisaged themselves as ending up as an Education Minister in a Power Sharing Executive, working in partnership with the DUP and other political parties!

My entry into Republican politics here in the six counties evolved from my many years working at a community level and aid worker, both here in Ireland and in countries across the world. My passion for human rights and equality meant I was naturally drawn to Sinn Féin when I moved to Belfast in the late eighties, especially when I witnessed first hand what was happening here day and daily.

I was conscious from my experiences gained in other areas where people suffered oppression that political power must be a key goal which must be shared and managed fairly in order to affect real and meaningful change.

4. What obstacles have you overcome to get to where you are today?

Being involved in Republican politics brought with it a many challenges, not least from state and institutionalised discrimination and oppression that ranged from the sinister to the quite mundane. Less tangible difficulties arise because of the way people have been conditioned to view you with suspicion meaning they stereotype you as someone to be feared or dismissed.

That's why I believe it vitally important to meet people, be prepared to listen to what they have to say, and challenge the things you believe need to challenged as this is ideal way of breaking down the barriers that govern our attitudes and deep-rooted prejudices.

Of course being female in the world of male dominated politics, even in a party with such progressive gender policies as Sinn Féin, presents many challenges and at times you are forced to question many unacceptable and antiquated views.

Apart from that, the sacrifice involved in devoting so much time and energy to a struggle means it is often the people closest to you, such as my partner Brian and daughters Emir and Deirdre who lose out.

5. What has been the key to achieving the level of excellence that you've achieved in your life?

Having strong family relationships that are based on the core values of equality and respect for each other are absolutely essential as you then have a strong platform from which to meet the many challenges that are part and parcel of being a Republican in the north of Ireland.

I believe passionately in engaging openly and honestly with people from all walks of life and you also need to have clearly defined goals that you can work towards. It is important to celebrate and recognise the victories, no matter how minor, whenever you achieve them.

6. As you look back on your life, what would you do differently?

Hindsight is of course 20/20 vision and does not serve much of a useful purpose in life so it's a question I don't ponder very much. Of course, there are always things we would have done differently in retrospect but that's part of life's learning process and how we learn from the mistakes we make is the key to improving, both as an individual and in the role we have to play.
I would however have liked to have taken some of the opportunities presented to me with regards progressing into Third Level Education but then something else would have had to give which in itself would have been a cause for regret.

7. How does it feel to have such power?

I feel extremely privileged to have been elected as an MLA for south Down on two successive occasions and to have been chosen by my party to be a Minister within the new Power Sharing Executive. As Minister for Education, I am conscious of how much responsibility has been placed on me personally because if power is abused the consequences for our society can be extremely damaging. The reverse is also true, and by building policies and relationships that are rooted in a framework of equality and respect then we can build a society that recognises diversity.

8. If someone wants to be you, do you suggest that they follow your footsteps?

I would never suggest someone should aspire to be me – everyone should try and be themselves as everyone has an uniqueness that means we arrive at things in different ways. Of course I would encourage people to become involve in Republican politics here in Ireland as I believe it is a movement that has already, and will in the future, be a powerful force for change.

9. As a member of Ógra Shinn Féin what advice would you give us to empower ourselves?

Remain true to your core values but at the same time respect the views of others and engage with people on the basis of equality and fairness. Remember, that as a member of Sinn Féin you are part of a revolutionary movement so play your role in helping to create a fairer and more equal society. Beware of people always coming to you with too many solutions and have all the questions.

Go raibh míle maith agat!