‘Don’t make age a factor’ says Older and Bolder Alliance
Labour candidate, Michael D Higgins, who is 70, has had to fend off repeated questions about his age and stamina.
But the Older and Bolder alliance — a group of eight organisations — says the campaign should be “untainted by ageism”. The alliance argues the key factors that should be considered in judging a candidate’s fitness for office are their character, track record, judgment and vision for the role of president.
“The date on a birth certificate is a factor outside the control of any candidate,” said Older and Bolder director Patricia Conboy. “Factors such as character, track record, judgment and vision are the factors that are within the control of candidates and, as such, provide a fair basis on which to assess their suitability as a future head of state for Ireland.”
She said it would have been entirely unacceptable had gender been identified as a reason to prevent Christine Lagarde becoming head of the IMF.
The Older and Bolder alliance comprises Active Retirement Ireland; Age and Opportunity; Alzheimer Society of Ireland; Carers’ Association; Irish Hospice Foundation; Irish Senior Citizens’ Parliament; Older Women’s Network and Senior Help Line.
