In an exclusive and forthright Hot Press Interview, the former Minister for the Environment addresses the ongoing water controversy, lambasts both Barry Cowen & Shane Ross, discusses the death threats he received while in office, airs his views on the Jobstown controversy, and calls for the Social Democrats to merge with Labour.

Alan Kelly also talks candidly about the death of two close friends, discusses euthanasia, explains why Ireland should be ready to debate the legalisation of marijuana for both recreation & medicinal purposes, and airs his supports Repealing the 8th.

In a deeply personal interview, Alan Kelly also talks about his views on religion, the devastating house fire that forced his parents to uproot while his mother was pregnant with him, his own romantic marriage proposal to his wife, the death of two his closest friend, and talks about his brother’s friendship with the Clintons. And he also discusses the controversial issue of drink driving, and Minister for the Environment Shane Ross's bill on the issue.

In our exclusive Hot Press Interview (out tomorrow, Thursday, 17 August 2017) with senior editor Jason O’Toole, Alan Kelly explains why he’s against the Swedish Model, his thoughts on his nickname Ak-47, and why he still feels shafted over not being allowed to contest the Labour leadership last time out.

On being approached by other political parties, Alan reveals: “I was approached by many people across different political parties, particularly Fine Gael. But I never considered it – ever. It didn’t even enter my head.

On wanting to be Taoiseach some day, he says, “I’d love to be Taoiseach. If you’re going to answer that question: you should also put down what I really mean is that I’d love to maximise where the Labour Party gets to. That’s more important to me. I don’t want another headline: ‘Power is a Drug... It’s Suits Me!’ ‘Alan Kelly Wants To Be Taoiseach!’ For God’s sake!”

On fearing for his safety will Minister for the Environment, he says: “It became a daily struggle. My movements had to be watched. I was regularly followed.”

On why he’s in favour of repealing 8th Amendment, Alan says: “I don’t tolerate the two phrases: pro-choice or the other extreme of pro-life. I’m in favour of getting rid of the Eighth Amendment and I’m in favour of legislating for the rights of women. A lot of these choices should be based on the relationship between a woman and her doctor, in consultation with her family.”

On legalising marijuana for recreational purposes, he says, “Yeah, I think that’s something we could look at. But under certain conditions: because if you legalise it for medicinal purposes you’re opening a can of worms anyway. So, you might as well look at it in a broader sense. You’d have to look at volumes: what would be allowable and all that.”

On the water controversy, Alan says: “This country is going to suffer as a result of the populist stance of people when it comes to water. Three quarters of people in Ireland were paying for water. And for one spin on the merry-go-round, Fine Gael abandoned all principle and got into bed with the most irresponsible politician in Ireland in Barry Cowen.”

And in a very strong statement, he accuses Fine Gael of re-writing the history books when it comes to same sex marriage: “Do you know what really drives me mad? Fine Gael have had this conversion on the Road to Damascus in relation to marriage equality. Only for the Labour Party, we still wouldn’t have marriage equality in Ireland. And only for Eamon Gilmore, you wouldn’t have had a referendum.”

In one of the most honest interviews you will read, Alan Kelly also talks why Social Democrats should merge with Labour, how he got his fair share of red cards on the football pitch, talks about his passion for craft beers, his love of Irish rock music, says why he wants to see Michael D. run for a second term, and gives his thoughts on Donald Trump and the Clintons.