Student's website puts candidates on spot
EVERY candidate in the general election is being challenged to do a job application interview with their prospective employers -- the voters -- via a new website.
Telluswhy.ie is asking candidates what qualifies them to run the country and will provide the answers for the public to see.
The brainchild of Trinity College politics student, Daniel Philbin Bowman, a son of veteran RTE broadcaster John Bowman, it can cut through the promises and buzzwords.
The 22-year-old final-year student came up with the idea after "becoming frustrated with the lack of information available on the credentials of prospective TDs".
"I see the situation like this: the State has given all of us the job of recruiting the most capable leaders in our constituency to take on one of most important and difficult jobs in our country.
"Between now and election day, we have the chance to interview all of the prospective candidates. We need to seize that chance," he said.
In an intriguing twist, Mr Philbin Bowman's website will also apply pressure on any candidate who doesn't respond by getting their constituents to demand the answers.
"We will have a function on the website where you can email unresponsive candidates directly to request that they submit their details," he said.
- Fionnan Sheahan Political Editor
Irish Independent
