LIKE MOST TDs, John Halligan, Independent TD for Waterford, is a regular voice on his local radio station. However, he is also well known to listeners of one the most popular English language stations in Spain, with regular slots on iTalk FM, which broadcasts across the Costa del Sol and the Costa Blanca.

When we talked to him, he had just finished giving listeners an overview of the fiscal treaty debate. “I got a good 20 minutes on the treaty,” he told us. (He wants the referendum vote deferred.) “Brian May from Queen was on before me, talking about fox-hunting.”

John comments on Irish matters to the expat audience.

“I like to give a balanced view and I wouldn’t be overly political. I’m a practical socialist – moderate left.”

A number of years ago, Richie Allen, formerly of WLR FM in Waterford and now a presenter with iTalk, asked Mr Halligan, then mayor, to comment on an unfolding Irish news story. Now, Mr Halligan is a regular commentator on Irish affairs.

“I make a point to talk up the country and say it’s a great place to live, even though I might be on to talk about something like crime, or the state of the economy.”