FF's young delegates look to score big in 'political speed-dating'

Delegates at this weekend's Fianna Fáil youth conference in Galway are to be offered the chance to take part in "political speed…

Delegates at this weekend's Fianna Fáil youth conference in Galway are to be offered the chance to take part in "political speed-dating", spending four minutes each with party politicians, election candidates and others.

According to the Ógra Fianna Fáil website, at the end of every interview each participant will be asked to rate their "date" out of five, according to categories such as "approachability", "listening skills", "ability to understand issues" and "ability to answer specific questions".

Delegates are promised that "through this event, you will get to rate your peers, councillors and TDs if you meet them on your circuit on the night.

"The aim is to provide an opportunity for people to talk about politics on a one-to-one basis. Politicians, young political activists and other people are welcome to take part."

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The person who has the highest accumulated score at the end of 10 rounds of the event will then be deemed the "winner", the website states.

Among the advice it offers to prospective participants is to "ask any questions you like but [ you] should avoid speaking about personal issues".

Fianna Fáil TD Barry Andrews said the event will include several of his parliamentary party colleagues, and is intended to increase young people's interest in politics and the democratic process.

He said the idea was making its debut at the conference but had previously been run in Scotland on a "more cross-party basis". Each event will involve a mix of young people and politicians and will last for approximately an hour.

"It also offers us the chance to listen to young people and better understand their issues and concerns," he said.