'The world doesn't fall apart when young people are given the chance to vote'
Eighteen years as a youth worker in Kildare and Dublin has given me insights into the minds of our young people.
They're insights which I'm privileged to be privy to, and it's this experience which compelled me to progress legislation to reduce the voting age to 16.
Over the years I've learned that those aged 16 and 17 are as civically informed as their peers aged 18 and over, sometimes even more so, but they are unjustly restricted when it comes to democratic participation.
When working with some of these young people, I would conduct mock votes mirroring real world elections and referenda, the results from which would often align – it became clear to me that their opinions were as valid as mine, yet only I could see mine reflected in our parliament and statute books, in the policies that shape our day to day life.
After all, it's as much their future at stake as much as anyone else's when it comes to the outcome of elections – if anything, this age group has more life to live, more future experiences which will be affected by the policies of today.
If one can work full time and pay taxes, it is only fair to afford that person with the formal opportunity to influence how these taxes are spent, both locally and nationally.
'No taxation without representation' comes to mind, and the fact that this cohort is still excluded from its principle.
One of the recommendations to come out of the 2012-2014 Convention on the Constitution was to reduce the voting age to 16 – this is not a new idea.
Some of our nearest neighbours have voting ages of 16. In Scotland, 16-year-olds had the option to vote in their referendum for independence in 2014, while in Wales, they have the opportunity to vote in elections.
The world doesn't fall apart when young people are offered the opportunity to vote.
Our last government was to consider reducing the age limit in time for the Local and European Elections in 2024, but failed to do so – my bill seeks to facilitate this process in time for this year's Presidential Election.
Like the 35-40% of people aged over 18 who choose not to vote, many aged 16 and 17, if afforded the opportunity, will also choose not to. However, it's the diversity of opinions offered from those who will partake in our democracy that will provide greater foundations for our country going forward.
These are the many thousands who care about their communities and society, who are as passionate about politics, public administration and civic duty as their older peers.
Like the Convention on the Constitution, my introducing of this bill has drummed up conflicting opinions – the three most prominent arguments I've heard to continue to restrict the voting age to eighteen are that it overburdens teenagers with an extra responsibility, that it raises questions of whether they should then be tried as an adult in court, and, simply, that anyone under eighteen is too immature to have the vote.
Firstly, if a referendum on this change resulted in a positive outcome, it only enables those who want to vote to do so – the last thing a civically engaged 16 or 17-year-old needs is the state telling them that they're unable to shoulder the weight of a responsibility they know they're more than ready for.
In relation to whether they should be tried as adults in court, which I've astoundingly been asked more than a few times, this is a complete false equivalence.
There is no relation between the ability to vote and how you should be tried, otherwise those at the ballot boxes would be treated differently in the courts than those who abstain – this question is barely worth entertaining, and that is before considering its blatant lack of regard for basic child protection principles and international best practice.
The question of maturity is the most common, and to that I say get out and volunteer in a youth group, a sports club or a summer camp – I've had conversations with 16 and 17-year-olds about politics where I've learned more than a thing or two, conversations that many of my peers could do with listening to.
This is an opportunity to tell the 16 and 17-year-olds of Ireland that they and their voices are valued, that they're trusted, that their insight is important to the present, not just the future, of this country.
Deciding the age to vote is an issue of fairness, not competence; of equality, not maturity.
This bill is my first as a TD, and one of inherent importance to me as a citizen of Ireland, a youth worker, and a father. We should not undermine the potential and ability of young people to play an essential role in our society.
Aidan Farrelly TD is the Social Democrats spokesperson for Children, Equality and Youth
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