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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.