asked the Minister for Local Government if it is the intention of the Government to allow persons who have reached 18 years of age and are on the voting register to stand as candidates in local government elections; and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Election Candidates.
2.
The minimum age for membership of a local authority was reduced to 18 years by the Electoral (Amendment) Act, 1973, which became law last month.
May I, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, take this opportunity to correct a statement attributed to me in the news media yesterday? I was quoted as saying that I intend to bring in legislation to reduce the age for membership of local authorities to 18 years. What I actually said, and it was at a private meeting, was that I was glad to have introduced this legislation as my first Bill in the Dáil.
Now that the Minister has decided to make this facility available to people of 18 years of age for local elections, will he consider extending the same facility to those people for Dáil elections?
As the Deputy is probably aware, this is a constitutional matter and there would have to be a constitutional amendment. This, of course, will be considered.