ATTRACTING more women into representative politics will be a huge challenge because social media is very harsh on them.
That’s according to Fine Gael councillor Sarah Kiely, who is of the view that technology companies and the government need to be doing more to protect people.
“Whether they are our Irish government or the European Union, they need to start hauling these companies over the coals, fining them big time, and ring-fencing that money for mental health charities to assist young people to deal with social media,” Cllr Kiely told the Limerick Post.
The Fine Gael councillor believes that attracting more women to the political stage is currently a “huge challenge” because of the harsh impact of social media.
“It’s harsh on everyone. It focuses on people’s appearance. You are in it day and night, you can’t switch off from it. It consumes your mind if someone says something negative. I can only imagine what it’s like for younger people,” she says.
The City East representative firmly believes social media is going to be the “block” when it comes to more women running in future elections.
“All councillors’ and public representatives’ information is available so they can pick up the phone and they can have a respectful debate. There’s no need to be hounding people on social media or calling them out. You can send an email, send a WhatsApp.
“I think politicians, especially councillors, are very close to the electorate and we’re willing to sit with people and meet them or else have a conversation. But this carry on on social media is going to be really detrimental to the political system because people are put off of running.”
Cllr Kiely also believes more education is needed around the function of local government.
“We don’t do this for the money. I’d like to see government educate the general public a bit more. Councillors earn €27,500 a year. TDs earn €100,000 plus. A lot of people, and it’s not their fault, don’t understand that councillors and TDs are totally different.
“TDs should be in the Dáil doing their job and councillors should be down here in Limerick doing ours. There should be no crossover.
“If everyone knew what their job was and stayed in their lane, and did their job rather than try to do ours, that would be far better. You’d attract more people as well to the job,” she concluded.
