Two referenda a mistake

A SENIOR Fianna Fáil politician claimed today (Saturday) it had been a 'mistake’ to run the two referenda together.

Mayo TD Dara Calleary said the issue about reducing the age at which a person can stand for the Presidency had been lost in the runup to the two ballots.

Speaking to reporters at the Mayo count centre in Castlebar, Deputy Calleary, party spokesperson on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, said that an opportunity had been missed during the campaign to discuss more fully the role of the President.

“We didn’t get a chance to have that full discussion,” Mr. Calleary stated.

He added: “We want more young people in politics and this (result) doesn’t send that message to them.”

Deputy Calleary said he wasn’t surprised by the result of the vote on the Presidency. People hadn’t been talking about it in recent weeks, he maintained.