Stephen Kearon is Special Advisor to Dick Roche TD, Minister for the Environment, Heritage & Local Government. Stephen was born on 16th December 1967 in Dublin & went to Sandford Park Secondary School. He graduated from UCD with a degree in Computer Science and Maths. A resident of County Wicklow since 1995, firstly in Wicklow Town and now in Ballinaclash, Rathdrum for the past 6 years. Married to Laurie, he has two children, Saoirse aged 8 and Oisin aged 5. A keen interest in politics from an early age, Stephen is a Member of the Officer Board of the Erskine Childers Cumman in Wicklow Town. Stephen was appointed to the Board of Wicklow Harbour (now called the Wicklow Port Company) by the Minister for the Marine in 1999.

1. What does the job of special adviser encompass?
It is primarily a political role which includes assisting and advising the minister in areas of his responsibility where he deems it necessary. It can also include meetings and advance preparations for meeting between the Minister and delegations both from the public and the political spheres

2. What are the most positive/negative aspects of the job?
The hours can be long and in many cases unpredictable however as someone who got involved in the political process in Ireland making a contribution to the improvement of my community and the wider society give me a good deal of satisfaction.

3. When did you take up an interest in politics?
I became interested in politics during my late school years and in particular around the role Sean Lemass played in reforming the economy during his tenure as Taoiseach in the 1960’s. Internationally I have huge respect for political giants like Mandela and Mikhail Gorbachev who in my lifetime swept away enormous obstacles using the political tools at their disposal.

4. Would you say this is your ideal job?
It’s a job which I am pleased to have and recognise it as a privilege to serve the Government. I would say that at this point in my life it is an ideal position to be in terms of my political interest and the useful role it lets me play in serving my community.

5. Putting aside party and personal allegiances, which politician are you most impressed with in the current Dail and why?
Finance Minister Brian Cowen is a man of enormous ability. He is one of the few I think who have been able to define in clear terms what our republic should stand for in the 21st century. He has clear sense of Ireland’s place in the world which was clearly demonstrated during our presidency of the EU in early 2004.

6. Name 3 people from history you would most like to have dinner with and why.
George Washington, Eamon De Valera and Mahatma Gandhi, all three were involved in the liberation of their country.

7. Not a lot of people know this but I am very good at.
I have a keen interest in Astronomy and when in college in UCD ran the college Astronomy Society for a number of years.

8. What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
Trust your instincts!

9. Is life just a lottery or is there a plan?
Life is a lottery of fortunate and unfortunate circumstances however a positive outlook is crucial to the ultimate outcome of any set of circumstances. I take the view that the Glass is generally half full and that consequently with a bit of effort many situation can be turned around.

10. When I’m gone, the thing I would most like to be remembered for is…
Any answer to this question would be very self serving.