:60second interview Fergus Finlay Former Labour Party chief Fergus Finlay quit politics in 1997 and is now CEO of Barnardos. This week he shares the secrets of his success at Metros Legends In Your Lunchtime series, in partnership with National College Of Ireland and Newstalk 106-108fm Interview by Lucy White Politics is like a flea bite depending on where youre bitten, the itch can actually be pleasurable, but if you dont watch it, infection is inevitable! Why did you decide to leave a 20- year career in politics? I only signed on in politics for a year but there was never a good time to leave. I had done some voluntary work with Barnardos and knew what a fantastic organisation it was, so the offer to work for them was one I couldnt resist. Youve been described as the George Foreman of political strategists. Agree or disagree? Muhammad Ali made more comebacks! Mind you, I might be able to sting like a bee but I could never float like a butterfly so perhaps the Foreman analogy is more appropriate. What skills did you take from your experience with Labour? I know how to tell a story well, and the Barnardos story is one of the most important, and urgent, in the country. How is Barnardos surviving in the recession? I wish we were immune to the recession. We are working flat out now just to keep the show on the road because there are more families and children hurting out there, and everyone has less money to contribute. Its tough going. You were also a chairperson for the Special Olympics. Yes, I wanted us to build on the legacy of the World Games in Dublin in 2003, which did a huge amount to raise awareness, and Im very proud that we increased the athletes involved by more than 50 per cent during my term. What do you miss most and least about your former role as chef de cabinet? Politics is like a flea bite depending on where youre bitten, the itch can actually be quite pleasurable, but if you dont watch it, infection is inevitable! Looking back over your career, what was your biggest challenge? Keeping a marriage together and raising four brilliant daughters. Everything turned out well, and I never contributed enough. Im lucky they dont bear grudges. most surprised you? Nobody was ever born with more charisma than Bill Clinton. And John Major has been harshly judged he was actually very impressive in the flesh. Whats your all-time favourite political slogan? I wont name the candidate, but he was a guy who opted out when the going got tough and wanted to get back in when the opinion polls said hed easily be elected (and wouldnt have to spend his communion money to do it). He ran a slogan that answered all the questions about his absenteeism: Ive stood on the sidelines too long. I see youre on Facebook but dont use it very much? I can see its potential but I cant get the hang of it. Same with Twitter Ill get a handle on it eventually. Fergus will talk to Newstalks Claire Byrne from 1pm to 2pm tomorrow at NCI in front of a live audience. Admission is free but online registration is required. To register, visit: www.ncirl.ie What is your proudest achievement? Helping to bring the Special Olympics World Games to Ireland, helping my missus to campaign for the establishment of the National Institute For Intellectual Disability in Trinity College. In politics, the 1992 general election and the Mary Robinson presidential campaign. Who do you think should be Irelands next EU commissioner? Brian Cowen. And I think Taoiseach Eamon Gilmore should nominate him. Now that the dust has settled on Obamas victory, how did you rate his campaign? What was unique about Obama was that he got elected on the back of values, much more than anything else. And despite ups and downs, theres still a strong sense that his is a value- driven presidency. Youve met a wide range of international dignitaries. Who has Television What To Watch RT1 RT2 TV3 10.55 Dr Phil 11.45 Shortland Street (T) 12.15 Doctors (T) 12.45 Telly Bingo 1.00 News And Weather (T) 1.25 Home And Away (T) 1.55 Neighbours (T) 2.20 EastEnders (R,T) 3.00 How Clean Is Your House? Kim Woodburn and Aggie MacKenzie spruce up untidy homes. 3.30 How Clean Is Your House? (R,T) Kim and Aggie try to convert a man to their cleaning cause. 4.00 The Afternoon Show (T) 5.45 Nuacht RT 6.00 The Angelus 6.01 News And Weather 7.00 Brides Of Franc (R) The work of a wedding planner from Cork. 7.30 EastEnders (T) Denise extends an olive branch to Owen. 8.00 Fair City (T) Heather asks Christy to modify his testimony in Brendans favour. 8.30 About The House (T) Renovating a cottage in Dungloe, Co Donegal. 9.00 News And Weather (T) 9.35 Prime Time (T) Current affairs review, plus reports on breaking news stories at home and abroad. 10.15 CrimeCall Con Murphy and Anne Cassin appeal for help from the public in solving crimes. 11.15 The View Edel Coffey, Hugh Linehan and Kevin Gildea join John Kelly to review An Education, starring Carey Mulligan, and Conor McPhersons play The Birds. 10.30 Shaun The Sheep 10.35 Zoey 101 11.00 The Shrinks 11.30 Band From School 11.55 FILM: Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (2004) Adventure sequel, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar. 1.30 The Scooby-Doo 2.15 My Parents Are Aliens 2.40 Tracey McBean 2.55 Kazoo 3.10 Roman Mysteries 3.40 Band From School (R) 4.10 The Shrinks (R) 4.40 Ice 5.00 News 5.10 The Simpsons (T) 5.35 Neighbours (R,T) 6.00 The Simpsons (T) Cartoon capers. 6.30 Home And Away (R,T) Sid realises things are getting out of control with Nicole. 7.00 Scrubs Ted falls in love with a ukulele player. 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Macy Gray, Kelly Osbourne and Donny Osmond are among the celebrities taking part.Tom Bergeron and Samantha Harris present. 9.00 Brothers & Sisters (T) Tommy and Julia celebrate their anniversary. 9.55 Nurse Jackie (T) A man is attacked by his dates ex-husband. 10.30 Podge & Rodges Stickit Inn Brian Dowling and Noirin Kelly compete against Ben Clarke and Lorraine Tighe in a variety of madcap challenges. 11.15 RT News On Two And World Forecast (T) 11.45 Summer Heights High A pupil dies of an overdose. 12.15 Sons Of Anarchy. 1.10 FILM: Darkness (2002) Premiere. 11.00 The Morning Show With Sybil And Martin 11.50 Midday 12.50 Changing Rooms 1.20 The Oprah Winfrey Show (R) 2.10 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 3.05 Emmerdale (R,T) Debbie receives a generous birthday present from Charity. 3.30 Coronation Street (R,T) Pam becomes suspicious of Mollys lies. 4.00 Coronation Street (R,T) Pam confronts Molly with what she has seen. 4.30 Judge Judy. 5.30 News@5.30 6.00 Xpos Daily entertainment news, with Karen Koster. 6.30 Friends (R) The Gellers celebrate their anniversary. 7.00 Emmerdale (T) A badly bruised Sally suggests Vincent is responsible for her injuries. 7.30 Airline Behind the scenes with airport staff. 8.00 Police, Camera, Action! Adrian Simpson meets representatives from five groups who are typically categorised as bad drivers. 9.00 FILM: 300 (2006) Premiere. See highlights. 11.05 Nightly News 11.10 Tonight With Vincent Browne The host presents the topical panel show. 12.00 to 3.00 Play TV. Interactive quiz show for viewers to win prizes. Relentless rage: Gerard Butler is Leonidas in 300 Todays highlights With Stephen Mulkearn Pick Of The Day James Mays Toy Stories BBC2, 8pm From houses made of Lego to functional bridges constructed using Meccano, the Top Gear presenter sets out to prove why classic childrens toys are still relevant by pushing them to extraordinary limits. Tonight, he takes model aeroplanes to a new level when he tries to make a full-size Spitfire out of Airfix. The venture soon hits problems when it becomes clear the giant pieces may not be strong enough, and nobody knows how they will fit together. Another fine mess for Mr May. Bleach, Nip, Tuck: The White Beauty Myth Channel 4, 10pm This documentary examines so-called deracialisation surgery. What started out as Michael Jackson wanting to look whiter has now become a real issue for black women in particular who want to lighten their skin tone. The programme also features a pioneering limb-lengthening surgical procedure. Film Of The Day 300 TV3, 9pm Leonidas, king of Sparta, assembles 300 of his finest warriors and takes them into battle against the vast invading armies of the Persian ruler Xerxes. While the outnumbered warriors fight for their country, Queen Gorgo desperately tries to rally support for her husband back at home. Stars Gerard Butler in a CGI- packed display of male flesh. 6pm 7pm 8pm 9pm 10pm 11pm 14 metrolife Tuesday, October 27, 2009 index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html