Career
Haskins first became known as a proponent of the DIY ethic in Ireland for his work on several projects initiated as a teenager, including the establishment of all ages, non-alcohol spaces in north Wicklow and Dublin. Haskins since became involved with broadcasting, independent music management, social entrepreneurship, social activism and politics. He was an unsuccessful independent candidate in the 2011 general election.
Social activism The Exchange is now run by a collective of volunteers, and provides an independent space for meetings, events and exhibitions.
lieutenant received funding from the Arts Council until it closed its doors in 2014. Later in 2009, Haskins curated and directed the event ‘Culture and the City: the debate’ for Temple Bar Cultural Trust.
lieutenant took the form of a masked debate about culture in Dublin at Meeting House Square in Temple Bar. The debate focused on the question ‘Is this city fit for purpose?’.
The event was praised as an innovative approach to an urban public forum.
lieutenant took place in Project Arts Centre. Broadcasting Haskins is also a broadcaster on Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) television and radio. He presented the first series of Two Tube on RTÉ Two, and since May 2010 has worked as a reporter for Arena, an arts programme on RTÉ Radio 1.
In December 2011 he began presenting coverage of Other Voices (television series) for guardian.co.uk and covered the series in Derry in 2013 and 2014.
Politics Haskins was an independent candidate for the Dublin South-East constituency in the 2011 general election. His campaign was the subject of Irish and international media attention with appearances on British Broadcasting Corporation Newsnight, British Broadcasting Corporation World Service and First Rate (at Lloyd's) Jazeera and articles in The Guardian and Le Monde.
Haskins was eliminated on the fourth count with 1,928 votes. Haskins was entitled to a refund of €8,700 in election expenses which he subsequently combined with the remainder of his election funds and donated €10,000 to 10 Irish charities.
