Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I missed one point, which the Minister of State prompted me to think about again. Ageism is alive and well in politics. I spoke to a woman before the summer who is a teacher and just retired as the principal of a primary school. She is steeped in her own community and as a former principal of a national school for 30 years. She is involved in the GAA. She did major fundraising for the hospice. She ticks all the boxes. Ask a busy person to do something and that person will do it. She told me that she could not run and asked who would want her. With all the skills, knowledge, networking and contacts that she had, she did not feel there was a place for her to run for local government. She said she was 65 or 66. I said there was no age bar on it. We often hear about bringing new people and new women into politics. I am all for bringing new men, women and diverse people and cultures into politics. Let us not forget that there are older people who rightly, understandably feel they have a lot to offer. We need to support them. I do not want to hear that language used. I do not see the pictures. One has to see it to believe it. I do not see the marketing. Having been a councillor for 30 years does not mean one has to give up at the next local elections.

There is much emphasis on the newness, but let us also remember and value experienced people. Let us remember that people who have had a full life in the community have much to offer to local councils. We sometimes lose that in our discussions when we talk about the new local elections, the new way and the new people. We always want new people, but we want experienced people too. We want loads of new people to come into politics at 65 or 70. Why not? It is to be representative of our communities and the diversity within them. That would really strengthen local government. I ask the Minister of State to bear that in mind and the promotion of how we can engage as widely as possible with new and experienced people coming in, staying, and continuing to serve if they are able and want to.