Young Candidates for Irish Elections in 2009

[Guth_nua]

Still doing the Leaving. I'd imagine youngest overall so?

[Odyessus]

Still doing the Leaving. I'd imagine youngest overall so?

I find it difficult to understand how mature people would appoint someone who is little more than a schoolboy to make important decisions on their behalf.

Personally, I would be very unlikely to vote for anyone under 30.

[walrusgumble]

I know a few from Sinn Féin.

Donnacha O'Laoghaire a member of Ógra is running in Cork as well as Ken Aherne I think.

In Dublin we have Ruadhán Mac Aodhán in Dublin's North Inner City, Oisín Ó Dubhláin in Pembroke Rathmines who both started in Ógra.

Peadar De Bluit as well is running in Kilkenny County.

Cant think of any others off the top of my head. All are good activists and have good politics. Ruadhán or Ken would be the oldest I think but that mid twenties even so.

Good luck to them and fair fecks for going for it.

cllr paul hogan in athlone was one of the youngest councillors elected in the last locals, and two years later was mayor/chairman of the council

[fiannafuddy]

Why should anyone vote for a candidate just because they are younger than the others?

Because not only are their ideas not tired, tried and failed, they have not yet had a chance let alone followed through, like most sitting councillors nationwide, in failing their electorate by doing nothing between elections and council meetings.

Anyhow some FF Young Candidates:
Brian Stokes - Limerick (25)
Gerard McHale - Mayo (24)
James Carroll - Louth (27)
Conor Keelan - Louth (28)
Cllr. Charlie Ardagh - Dun Laoghaire Rathdown (27)
Cllr. Cathal Crowe - Clare (26)
Ronan Callely - Dublin (21)
Stephen Lavelle - Castlebar (23)
Cllr. JP Feeley - Cavan (29)
Eoin Coyne - Youghal (20)
Cllr. Shane P. O'Reilly
Tom Malone - Clare (29)
Michael Frawley - Kinsale (23)
Fred Gilligan - Dun Laoghaire (28)
Trevor Gilligan - South Dublin (25)
Cormac Devlin - Dun Laoghaire

not sure of some of the ages above, but think they're relatively correct.

Some in their 30s:
James Lawless
James Collins
Garrett Greene
Paul McAuliffe
Siobhan Ambrose
David Daly
Christy McInerney

[davehiggz]

I find it difficult to understand how mature people would appoint someone who is little more than a schoolboy to make important decisions on their behalf.

Personally, I would be very unlikely to vote for anyone under 30.

I wouldn't underestimate the youth of today. I'm 16 and the fact that I'm posting on a political forum says a lot. In 3 years time I could be very eligible to run in a local election (It's in 5 years, I know). I have a keen interest in politics and I am actively involved in our community.

[Odyessus]

I wouldn't underestimate the youth of today. I'm 16 and the fact that I'm posting on a political forum says a lot. In 3 years time I could be very eligible to run in a local election (It's in 5 years, I know). I have a keen interest in politics and I am actively involved in our community.

Good for you. I don't underestimate young people, I was one myself once. I also know I thought I knew a lot more than I actually did. It is easy to see things in simplistic terms when one is young and mistake naiveté for idealism.

Nevertheless I congratulate you for your public-spiritedness, but I will be voting for people with more life experience.

[Guth_nua]

I find it difficult to understand how mature people would appoint someone who is little more than a schoolboy to make important decisions on their behalf.

Personally, I would be very unlikely to vote for anyone under 30.

Such misguided sentiment, in order for any body along the lines of a county/borough council to be effective it needs a good mix of young and old, male and female etc.

You don't see the younger candidates telling those who have been there for a longer period to push over - because their experience is vital. Like younger candidates with fresh innovative thinking is also necessary.

Not to mention the fact that a good deal of people under 30 have as much cop on and common sense as those over 30 - and in some cases even more.

Ageism works both ways it seems

[Odyessus]

Such misguided sentiment, in order for any body along the lines of a county/borough council to be effective it needs a good mix of young and old, male and female etc.

You don't see the younger candidates telling those who have been there for a longer period to push over - because their experience is vital. Like younger candidates with fresh innovative thinking is also necessary.

Not to mention the fact that a good deal of people under 30 have as much cop on and common sense as those over 30 - and in some cases even more.

Ageism works both ways it seems

It's a free country, vote for whoever you like. I am merely expressing my personal opinion, though I note in passing that most people consider those with whom they disagree "misguided".

[jtd]

Guth nua, how do you plan to be both in Dublin studying and in Kilkenny if elected? Surely you would be less effective than other permanent residents who could be elected?

[Guth_nua]

Guth nua, how do you plan to be both in Dublin studying and in Kilkenny if elected? Surely you would be less effective than other permanent residents who could be elected?

Wouldn't necessarily agree with that to be honest. When I'm in Dublin I'm still only a phone-call away from people in the area.

Second, because of the way my timetable is structured in uni I intend to be in Kilkenny at least four nights a week. Not to mention the fact that the academic year is 24 weeks long letting me be in Kilkenny more or less full-time for the other 28.

But the reason I really disagree with you is because I know that I have the commitment to do the best possible job for my constituents regardless of where I live.