What about the youth?

Politicians forget about young people.

I recently attended On Laois: The Answers, which was hosted in Portlaoise town in the Laois/Offaly Constituency.

The panel consisted of Sean Fleming TD (FF), John Moloney TD (FF), Tom Parlon TD (PDs), Brian Stanley (SF), Charlie Flanagan (FG), and Jim O’Brien (Lab), who were asked a series of pre-arranged questions on local issues, as well as several random questions from audience members who had a grievance.

What shocked me was the fact that there was not one youth issue raised despite several local towns in the constituency suffering from a lack of recreational facilities and anti-social behaviour, two phenomena that are undeniably linked.

Instead, for over two hours the audience listened to issues such as landfills, roll-over relief on Compulsory Purchase Orders, Capital Gains taxes and a one minute speech from each candidate as to why you should vote for them.

The neglect of youth issues seems to a problem straight across the state, as politicians intent upon gaining a seat are apparently “too busy” canvassing and invading people’s privacy to plug their party policies, to listen to the voice of one of the largest voting blocks in the country, also known as any person between age 18 and 25.

I believe that the only candidates in my area to show any interest in youth issues in the past FIVE YEARS have been John Bracken (Independent candidate from Clara, Offaly) and Brian Stanley (Sinn Fein from Portlaoise). Where have the other parties been all this time? Snuggling up to developers and large farmers? Perfecting their election poster mug shots?

It’s your vote, but I encourage you to use it wisely and vote for someone who in your mind represents the interests of not only society, but also of your age group.

By: Bryan Holland

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