#TrendsterAras18 Presidential Interview Series: Sean Gallagher

Why does anybody step forward? Why would anybody want to be Taoiseach?… Why would anybody want to be a local representative? Why would anybody want to set up a youth club like I did when I was seventeen? Why does anybody want to set up a community organisation to respond to the challenges? At our core I think our responsibility in life… is to make a difference… and the big push now, and I spend a lot of time with young people, I spend a lot of time coaching and mentoring, and people are not just looking for a livelihood, you can get a livelihood in any number of ways, people are not just looking to piece a course, to get a degree, what people want is meaning, purpose… and that they can make a contribution, and every single one of us, have unique talents and abilities, and it’s about using those to make a difference, and that’s what I want to do, and I am a great believer in, which I know a lot of people are cynical about, which is being of service. Every community group is of service to somebody, every youth organisation and sporting organisation is doing a service, it’s not just about playing games, it’s about building character, it’s about building discipline, motivation, it’s about team spirit, it’s about chasing goals and victories, but also dealing with defeat, that’s what it’s about, and that’s all in service to building who we are, and it’s also about building communities, and… at its heart it’s about being at service, every business is about being of service to its customers or its end users, that’s ultimately I think is our calling… and the President, when they’re elected, and on their inauguration day… declares to the public that they want to use their abilities to serve the Irish people, and that’s what I want to do… and I want to do that home, talking to individuals, talking to community groups, disability groups, recognising every person as the head of state, listening to their stories… I spend a lot of time listening to people, listening to people’s stories, it is incredibly powerful because people feel heard, and acknowledged… recognising community activism, volunteerism, and that which is recognised people will then continue and be motivated to continue to work, why? Because we all need to be recognised for our effort and our talent… and then to represent the country abroad, I think Ireland is great, I think it’s wonderful, I’m hugely passionate and patriotic about Ireland, about the good things in Ireland… so often we spend so much time on the negative, focusing on what’s wrong, rather than on the opportunities we have, and I want to stand on a global stage and say Ireland is a great country… we’re young, we’re dynamic, we are open for business, we’re inclusive, creative, we’re loving, we’re caring, we’re humorous, we’ve got depth, we’ve got character, we’ve got authenticity, we’ve got a roughness around the edges… but we’re loyal and passionate about everything we do, and to represent that, to attract business to Ireland, attract tourism to Ireland, to grow it, working with the government, working hand-in-hand with all the institutions of state at home, and abroad… ultimately I want to make a difference, and to create ultimately if I had one big vision for Ireland… it’s that we would make it a country where every single person… can, and wants to live their life… to achieve their highest potential… no matter what their creed, age, religion, identity, disability or level of ability.