This project is somewhat reserved for people who don’t usually have a platform. It’s for sharing real stories, from real people, so I was a little bit trepidatious to interview a politician who would normally have their own audience and agenda.

However, our podcast producer, Dee Reddy, assured me that her friend Hazel would give me her truly honest opinion and stories, and I was intrigued to meet an honest politician.

Hazel charmed me from the get-go. Firstly, she suggested meeting in Dublin City Hall, one of my favourite venues and a place that I feel we should all have a bit more access to.

Secondly, she turned up wearing a REPEAL jumper. Woman after my own heart.

She’s not like politicians I’ve met before, the ones that crawl to my door and run away when I mention all the things they don’t want me to mention (housing crisis!).

We talk openly, which is refreshing. She’s funny, chatty, relaxed and genuine. She seems to have gone into politics for the right reasons, not just to be a politician like so many who occupy seats at the moment.

She’s a young mother, a woman of colour, and very clued in on all the issues that I feel so affected by right now. She works her charm some more and leaves me feeling that maybe I too should get involved in local politics.