asked the Minister for Local Government if in view of the introduction by the Northern Ireland Government of a Bill for the franchise from 18 years of age he will take steps to introduce a similar measure in the Republic.
107.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Voting Age.
106.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he intends to take steps to initiate a referendum to provide for the granting of votes at 18 years of age similar to the proposal introduced in Northern Ireland.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Numbers 106 and 107 together. As I indicated in reply to previous questions on this subject, reduction of the voting age would involve an amendment of the Constitution. The Government have taken no decision in the matter.
Conscious of the Minister's interest and deep concern for the electoral law in Northern Ireland, and as Northern Ireland has in the past week brought in the vote at 18 years of age and since this development has been extended to the United Kingdom generally, could the Minister advance to the House any reason why a large number of our electors cannot vote until they are in their twenties and yet they are expected to contribute to democratic institutions in this country? This opens up an area where we can be accused of not extending democratic liberties. Can the Minister comment on these matters?
The Government have not made a decision on the matter.
Is the Minister not aware that under the present law young people may not get a vote until they are 24 or 25 years of age? This matter requires mature consideration. I know the history of referenda has not been happy in this country but this is one which will go through without a campaign at all.
People get the vote at 21 years of age, and not 24.
In many instances they are 24 years of age before they vote.
How can we teach them democracy in such circumstances?
If the Deputy wants to give young people a chance to vote he can resign and thereby cause a by-election.
This matter cannot be dealt with in a flippant manner. Many young people in this country have no exercise of their democratic rights until they are 24 years of age. It may be that the Minister and many of his cohorts may not particularly relish the prospect of such young people casting their votes. These young people have been denied such rights. The Minister has no right to lecture to Britain and Northern Ireland until this matter is rectified.
The Deputy appears to be advocating a general election every year. That does not require a constitutional amendment.
Young people can marry, and they must pay income tax and they enjoy other privileges. I believe they should be entitled to vote. When does the Government propose taking steps to hold a referendum on this?
The Constitution does not lay down any age limit for the paying of income tax but it does lay down an age limit with regard to voting.
In view of the fact that such people are playing their part in this country, when does the country propose holding a referendum on this question?
The Government have not taken a decision on the holding of a referendum.
The Minister is aware that the American Revolution took place on the basis of "no taxation without representation?" That occurred 200 years ago. I do not see why young people should be expected to pay vast sums in taxation and not have representation. Perhaps, the representation would not be the same if they got the vote.
I do not see the relevance of the American Revolution at all.