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Irish Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
'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
Irish Independent
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Bill to lower voting age to 16 introduced in Dáil – and Taoiseach ‘wouldn't rule anything out'
Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly, who represents Kildare North, introduced the Forty-first Amendment of the Constitution (Reduction of Voting Age to 16 Years) Bill yesterday. The last reduction in the voting age was in 1972, when the electorate endorsed a drop from 21 to 18. Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he 'wouldn't rule anything out' in relation to a voting age of 16, adding that the issue merited 'serious consideration'. 'I don't have an issue with reducing it to 16. We will give that serious consideration. We'll engage in the debate,' Mr Martin said. Tánaiste Simon Harris, however, said he was not sure now was 'the right time' for such a proposal. Two separate government referendum proposals in March last year were heavily beaten. Mr Farrelly, in introducing the bill, said lowering the voting age to 16 was one of the recommendations from the Convention on the Constitution in 2014. 'If one can work full-time and pay taxes at 16, it is only fair that people have the formal opportunity to influence how these taxes are spent locally and nationally,' he said. He acknowledged that many young people choose not to vote, and there was no doubt that many aged 16 and 17, if afforded the opportunity, would also choose not to do so, he said. But he called for a focus on those who will: 'The many thousands who care about their communities and their society, who are as passionate about politics, public administration and civic duty as their peers aged 18-plus.' ADVERTISEMENT Mr Farrelly said he had been a youth worker and had run many mock elections over the years encouraging young people to participate. 'Whether it was a referendum, or a local or general election, the vote was nearly almost mirrored in their local ballot box, or nationally,' he said. He said the Dáil could achieve something momentous. It was 'an opportunity to tell the 16 and 17-year-olds of Ireland that we value them and their voice, that we trust them and their power, and that we need them and their participation'. He added that the bill was 'one of inherent importance to me as a father, youth worker and citizen of Ireland'. It was an issue of fairness and equality, not maturity, he told fellow TDs. Government Chief Whip Mary Butler said the legislation was not opposed at this stage.
The Journal
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Social Democrats to table Bill to reduce voting age to 16
THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATS will later table a Bill seeking to reduce the voting age in Ireland from 18 to 16. Soc Dems TD Aidan Farrelly is the party's spokesperson for children, equality and youth. He will introduce the Bill today and remarked: 'People aged 16 and 17 are as civically informed as their peers aged over 18, but are unjustly restricted when it comes to democratic participation. '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, locally and nationally.' He noted that reducing the voting age to 16 was one of the recommendations of the Convention on the Constitution in 2013-2014. Ahead of last June's local and European elections, Fianna Fáil Senator Malcolm Byrne had called for the voting age to be lowered to 16 in time for polling day. A Bill sponsored by Byrne and fellow Fianna Fáil Senators Mary Fitzpatrick and Erin McGreehan which would lower the voting age to 16 for local and European elections is currently before the Seanad . Advertisement 'The last government was to consider reducing this change in time for the Local and European Elections in 2024, but failed to do so,' said Farrelly. He said the Bill he will table seeks to facilitate a reduction in the voting age in time for this year's Presidential Election. Farrelly also noted that 16-year-olds were able to vote in the 2014 Scottish Independence referendum and that 16-year-olds can vote in Welsh Parliament and local elections. 'Our youth should be able to participate in our democratic processes, the outcomes of which will affect their lives as much as anyone else's, and more than some,' said Farrelly. While he acknowledged that some 16 and 17-year-olds would not vote if able to do so, he noted that this is also the case for those aged over 18. 'We should focus on the many thousands who care about their communities and their society, who are as passionate about politics, public administration and civic duty as their older peers,' said Farrelly. 'The Reduction of Voting Age to Sixteen Years Bill 2025 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 needed for the future of this country.' This will be Farrelly's first Bill as a TD and he said that it is 'one of inherent importance to me as a citizen of Ireland, a youth worker, and a father'. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
