Simon Harris sent lengthy list of questions ahead of interview on The 2 Johnnies podcast
Ken Foxe
Taoiseach Simon Harris was sent a lengthy list of questions to get himself prepped for an interview with The 2 Johnnies including whether he still did housework and what he would do if he found a genie in a bottle.
The advance outline was sent to one of Mr Harris’ advisers ahead of the Taoiseach’s appearance on the podcast in November, just days before the general election was called.
The interview was to be separated into two parts covering the ‘personal’ and the ‘general’ according to an email released under Freedom of Information laws.
The Department of the Taoiseach at first said no records of the podcast existed and the outline of questions was only released following a request for internal review.
In the ‘personal’ section, the first question listed was: “When you become Taoiseach, can you have a personal life?”
It would be followed by: “Do you still do housework now you’re leader of a country? Who’s harder to deal with, the kids or the Healy-Raes.”
As well as broad questions about his sporting and music interests, the Taoiseach was also briefed to expect a question on whether he listened to the 2 Johnnies podcast.
Other items in the outline included: “Do people wreck you [sic] head when you’re out an about? Do you have to have security with ya all the time? What do you think of the newspapers?”
The ‘general’ section dipped into more controversial topics including immigration.
A suggested question was: “Johnny Smacks is from Roscrea, thoughts on the situation there? Closing the town’s only hotel to accommodate refugees.
“What is the government’s plan to deal with the large number of asylum seekers who are arriving to Ireland?”
Lack of housing, emigration, and rural Ireland were also on the interview outline.
“Is there an urban-rural disconnect? Why do you think so many young Irish people are going to Australia? Yer plan to get them back,” said one question.
“Housing? Many young working couples are not able to afford to buy or build. Conditions for young nurses and guards.”
The future of Irish pubs and Irish agriculture were flagged as well as topics for the interview.
“There are a lot of farmers listening to the podcast. Many tillage and vegetable farmers are being priced out. Reducing the national herd,” said the outline.
The unavailability of transport in rural Ireland was raised too. “The 2 Johnnies find it very hard to get a lift home after the pub.”
The Taoiseach was told of a possible question over ‘catfishing’ including the notorious case where somebody online tried to dupe one of the podcast hosts as well as high-profile GAA players.
“Will we see any changes to the rules of social media?” the interview outline said. “Your own approach to social media? Is it important as a way to communicate.”
The brief said there would likely be a question on whether “we’ll ever see a 32 county Ireland” and one on the Taoiseach’s biggest challenges and ambitions.
Another item said: “If you found a gene [sic] in a bottle and had three wishes, you could make anything happen with the click of a finger, what three things would it be.”
