LEO: GO FOR WHITE HOUSE AGAIN JOE..

Age no barrier to office says Varadkar

- LAURA COLGAN

• Pledge to respect decision of US voters

TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar said he doesn’t think Joe Biden is too old to run for a second term as president. 

The US leader will be 82 when America goes to the polls in November next year.

But Mr Varadkar, who is in New York for the UN General Assembly, said he doesn’t think age should hold politicians back from running for office.

He added: “I think if they’re in good physical and mental health, then there’s actually no reason why they shouldn’t put themselves forward for election.

“I’ve always tried to encourage young candidates or female candidates in particular to run but sometimes you have people who are older people who have a huge amount of experience in life and actually can be very, very capable.

“A colleague of mine Richard Bruton, is about to step down. He’s going to not contest the next election. He’s 71 but physically and mentally he’s as sharp as he ever.

“It’s not about the age. I think we’re moving more and more away from the idea that there’s a cut-off point or an age and it’s more about whether the person is physically mentally able.”