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Totes emoji

Here's what happened when we interviewed this Labour TD entirely in emoji

John Lyons proves he’s down with the kids.

Screen Shot 2015-06-09 at 12.58.41

LABOUR TD JOHN Lyons has had a good few weeks.

He was front-and-centre of his party’s campaign for a Yes vote in the marriage referendum and earned huge praise for discussing how he and his family came to terms with his sexuality.

Pictured voting for the Referendums on M Lyons voting in the same-sex marriage referendum with his mother Mark Stedman Mark Stedman

But he’s also pretty down with the kids and isn’t afraid to lash out the emojis in correspondence with us or on the Twitter.

So, when we saw that Buzzfeed had done an interview with Scottish Labour leader hopeful Kezia Dugdale - where she was only allowed to answer with emojis - we thought we’d put Lyons to the test…

So, without further ado, here is Ireland’s first ever emoji-only political interview…

We started off with an easy one. It appears the good weather has the Dublin North-West deputy in good form… 

Lyons 1

Then we asked about that historic referendum result just over a fortnight ago. He’s still pretty happy about it…

Lyons 2

And he had a good time celebrating… 

Lyons 3

Time to get down to more serious matters…

Lyons 4

The message here seems to be that putting more money in people’s pockets, including public sector workers like guards and doctors, is top of the Labour agenda.

Then we asked the question that everyone in political circles is asking… 

Lyons 5

Lyons is clearly holding out for that spring election next year.

With some less than inspiring poll numbers, we asked how his own party will fare when the general election is called…

Lyons 6

The deputy admits it’s not going well, but with the improving economy those cloudy skies will become sunny and Labour will do just fine.

Time to talk personalities. Starting with his own party leader… 

Lyons 7

Then the leader of the country… 

Lyons 8

What about the leader of Fianna Fáil? 

Lyons 9A

Lyons 9b

And the leader of Sinn Féin?

Lyons 10

Some nice burns of the opposition there.

Time to wrap up, but before he goes, what plans has Lyons for the summer break? 

Lyons 11

France with the partner for sun, sea, drink and dancing. Sounds good to us.

Thanks to John Lyons for being a good sport… 

Lyons 12

Which politician would you like to see take the emoji interview challenge next? Let us know in the comments… 

Read: 13 heroes of the Yes campaign

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