Age profile of Cork TDs drops 8 years

THE average age of Cork’s Dáil representation has dropped by eight years since the last general election in a reflection of the changed face of politics after last Friday’s ballot.

Of the city and county’s 19 TDs in five constituencies, the number aged under 50 years has doubled from eight elected in 2007 to 16. They include eight TDs aged 40 or under compared to five in the same age category four years ago, helping to bring the average age from 50 to 42.

Senator Michael McCarthy, elected for Labour in Cork South West, is one of two 34-year-olds who will make the journey to sit in the Dáil next week, along with re-elected Fianna Fáil TD Michael McGrath from Cork South Central.