Behind every great party…

By Kate Manning

Starting college this year? Feeling nervous about starting out on your own? Or are you interested in meeting new people and becoming more active in your community? You don’t have to be a dinosaur to get involved in politics. Every party in Ireland has youth organisations which are always open to new members. Even the most skilled politicians have to start somewhere.

Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin were all contacted by email as that would be a common method used by young voters to submit a query or find information. As yet there has been no response from youth representatives in either Sinn Fein or Fianna Fail. Young Fine Gael (YFG) responded that same day.
Young Fine Gael was set up by former Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald in 1977. Since then the organisation has strengthened in numbers with branches all over the country.. Young Fine Gael is open to members from the age of 15 to 30.

Sarah Moore is the Director of Campaigns for Young Fine Gael. From Wexford, she has taken some time off from her work as a nurse to concentrate on the upcoming elections. “I think now is a gripping time to be involved in politics and Young Fine Gael is a great organisation that offers a fresh approach with new ideas. We are an autonomous organisation, in that we are not dictated to by the senior party. Young Fine Gael has had more members out canvassing than ever before and Fine Gael has a large number of young candidates.”

With colleges now winding down for the summer holidays, a wide-reaching platform for informing and including younger voters is in danger and could be harmful to a political campaign. Ms Moore said “In some respects it most certainly will affect candidates. However, looking at areas such as south County Wexford, we are delighted to have the college people back around as they are now available to canvass”.

A member of the Youth of the European People’s Party (YEPP), Young Fine Gael aims to foster relations with other youth groups throughout Europe. “YFG has held the vice presidency of the organisation which is a huge achievement for a political organisation from a small country, in European terms. YEPP hold seminars on European issues to which Young Fine Gael sends representatives and we have established an International Committee within our own organisation where our members can debate European issues and regularly keep in touch with YEPP.”

Ms Moore is aware that there is a need to bring European issues to the younger voters. “Branches have gone on trips to Brussels to visit the MEPs and the Parliament to see for themselves what actually goes on and can then report back to their peers that Brussels is a place that is good for Ireland.”

“I certainly consider myself a proud European and in these times of economic uncertainty I think we need to ensure Ireland's future at the heart of Europe.”