Ageism is rife in media coverage of the upcoming elections. The oldest candidate is Cllr Maurice Ahern in Dublin Central and several sources have felt the need to point out that he is over 70. I do not know what age any of his opponents are and frankly it does not matter. What does matter is that when people of any age submit a job application it is considered on its merits and not on the basis of an ageist bias.

To those who are making an issue of Cllr Ahern's age, I only hope that when you hit your 70s you are not written off so dismissively by future generations of journalists.

Donnacha Maguire,

Sandford Road,

Ranelagh, Dublin 6.