Minister of State Aodhán Ó Ríordáin is the subject of this fortnight's extensive Hot Press Interview, in which he discusses his much-publicised problems with bullying in school, as well as his views on God, abortion and water charges.
When asked where he stands on the abortion issue, the 38-year-old Dubliner admits that it was the one question you didn't want to be asked when he was first running for election, as it is "the question in Ireland which shows up politicians in an incredibly negative light because there's a massive amount of cowardice that surrounds the issue."
Ó Ríordáin says he's changed his "pro-life view", explaining:
"Once you meet somebody who has been in England and had an abortion, you find yourself not in any way able to judge them. I think the 8th Amendment has to go. What model would I go for? I don't know. I think a lot of people here are comfortable with the idea of a woman making her own mind over her own body and her own future and I am very comfortable that that needs to happen, but there are always going to be questions about until what time, and I can't say that I know when that is."
For more with the Minister of State, pick up the new issue of Hot Press (Damien Rice cover), on sale tomorrow, Thursday November 13.