90% of teens cannot not name MEP - survey

Three-quarters of 15- to 17-year-olds believe politicians do little to improve the lives of young people, according to a new opinion poll.

A survey carried out by the National Youth Federation (NYF) suggested people in that age group are cynical about politicians, with a majority believing that public representatives are "only in it for themselves".

Perhaps this explains why 90 per cent of the 1,014 young people polled in 42 locations across the State could name a single MEP in their area and only half could name a local TD.

Councillors fared little better. Just under half - 45 per cent - were unable to name a local councillor, while a quarter could name one, and 17 per cent could name two.

Almost two-thirds believed that the voting age should be reduced to 16 and 77 per cent of those questioned of said they would vote in the coming June elections, if allowed.

Mr Diarmuid Kearney, NYF Chief Executive, said: "The National Youth Poll shows an indifference amongst young people to national politics and a lack of knowledge as to who our elected representatives are".

He admitted that, in the middle of Ireland's presidency of the EU, the media coverage of ten new member states' accession and the build-up to the European elections, the lack of awareness from young people of the MEPs was disappointing.

But he said the poll results clearly indicate young people want to engage with local and global issues but find the political process of little relevance to their daily lives.

The issue of most concern to young people was health, followed by family and crime. Lowest on the list of issues was Iraq, corruption in politics and car insurance.