The Youth in Irish Politics…..

The youth of Today and Irish Politics, do they have anything in common?

We all seem to be consumed with the trivia and revelations of out trans-Atlantic cousins in The United States at the media circus that surrounds the U.S elections but when it comes to our own country and the diaspora that is Irish politics do any of us really care?

Perhaps Enda Kenny and Eamonn Gilmore don’t possess the ‘glitz and glamour’ that Barack Obama and Mitt Romney appear to have or maybe it’s because the generation that was dubbed “Celtic Tiger cubs” simply have lost the faith in Irish Politics.

The whole notion of Celtic Tiger “Cubs” is a notion that was created by the generation that destroyed our economy and country. Should we forgive their misgivings as they pass the blame to the generation that grew up feeding upon the Celtic Tiger? No, we should not forgive and forget.

The Celtic Tiger Cubs have now grown up to become known as “Generation Emigration”. Everyday another car pulls up at Dublin airport and the heart wrenching hug parents give to their child, who they may not see again for a few years. Why has this happened?

Ireland thrived in the days where Irish Politicians and the country’s highest bankers in Ireland swept every misgiving a fellow party member gave under the rug. The rug has well and truly been pulled from under our feet but I wonder who actually is suffering the most? The generation who created the mess or the generation are rebuilding prosperous new lives abroad.

They dubbed us “Celtic tiger babies” but now it appears karma has slapped Irish politics in the face. As more and more pack up and board the generation emigration train, where does this lead the future of Irish Politics?

As a “Celtic Tiger Cub” one recent aspect of Irish Politics grabbed my attention. The headline read “Government Officials to receive I-Pads”. It stuck out to me like a smack in the face for the tens of thousands of students left without their maintenance grants. The TD trying to cover tracks by spinning yet another tale of “Cost Saving” measures by the government regarding the printing that takes place in the Dail.

Irish Politics is facing into a new diaspora, more and more young people see the abolition of the Senate as one cost cutting measure that should come about. The jury is still out on whether Irish politicians are our friends or still the foe. Students in Galway will certainly soon find out.