WITH A CABINET reshuffle seemingly imminent, calls are being made to remove some of the older members of cabinet.

Speaking today on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte said that calls for the likes of himself and Education Minister Ruairí Quinn to step aside was “ageism”.

But, does it matter? In sport, they say “if you good enough you’re old enough”. Is the reverse true in politics, that if you’re good enough, you’re young enough?

Or is a call for fresh blood just a desire to see new faces?

We’re asking: Does a politician’s age matter?

Poll Results:

No, only performance matters (1918)

Yes (1057)

No, but time in power does (700)

I don't know (46)

Yes
No, but time in power does
No, only performance matters
I don't know

Read: Alan Kelly expects to be promoted if he becomes Labour’s deputy leader next week

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Poll: Does a politician's age matter?

Poll Results:

Read: Alan Kelly expects to be promoted if he becomes Labour’s deputy leader next week

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.