Vol. 528 No. 1
279 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when the right to vote was extended to women; when the voting age was reduced from 21 years to 18 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29500/00]
The Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898, entitled freeholders, including women who were freeholders in their own right, to vote at local elections. The right to vote at parliamentary elections, subject to certain qualifications, was extended to women by the Representation of the People Act, 1918. Universal suffrage was provided for under the Constitution of Saorstát Éireann and the Electoral Act, 1923. A referendum to reduce the voting age from 21 years to 18 years was approved by the people in 1972 and provided for under the Electoral (Amendment) Act, 1973.
