Taoiseach told poking fun at himself in interview with Ryan Tubridy might go down well

Ken Foxe

Taoiseach Micheál Martin was told he should only talk about things he was “comfortable with” but that poking fun at himself might go down well ahead of an interview with Ryan Tubridy.

Mr Martin was sent a two-page document on what to expect when he appeared on the Bookshelf podcast, where the Fianna Fáil leader talked about his love of the Biggles adventure books, author Colum McCann, and a history book on aviator Charles Lindbergh.

In preparation for the interview, the Taoiseach was told the final question would be “the name of the autobiography” he was yet to write.

A briefing document said: “If you have never written an autobiography, you can talk about that at face value. [Or] you can go down a completely different road of the autobiography you would love to write but would get into too much trouble if you did.

“[Or] a light-hearted observation on your life that would be [a] little tongue-in-cheek, poking fun at yourself. It’s completely open to what you’re comfortable with.”

Mr Tubridy’s team said they were looking for the Taoiseach to bring actual copies of the books he wanted to speak about but that copies of them could be sourced if needed.

They planned to start with books Mr Martin read as a child, which Tubridy said would lead into a conversation on “childhood in general.”

The former RTÉ star said he would ask about the book that “brought you joy or made you laugh.”

The briefing document said: “This creates a space for happy stories to be shared. We are offering scope for two trains of thought here.”

The document said it could lead into a discussion on either ‘joy’ or ‘laughter’.

It said: “What was it about this book that made you laugh? What type of humour resonates with you?”

The podcast would then move on to the book that changed the Taoiseach’s life.

Mr Tubridy’s briefing document said: “Again, this one can go absolutely ANYWHERE!

“Previous guests that are authors have gone with their own book as a career turning point and talked about that.

“Other guests have leaned towards spiritual and self help or healing books that had huge impact. We have also delved into books that sparked a passion or an idea in them.”