This is a short Bill arising directly from the decision of the people in the referendum on 7th December last when they voted by a very large majority to reduce the minimum voting age at Dáil and Presidential elections and referenda to 18 years. The amendment of the Constitution came into effect on 5th January and this Bill will complete the procedure by making formal statutory provision for registration of persons as electors at the age of 18 years. In fact, the names of persons aged 18 to 21 years have been included in the new register of electors in anticipation of the provisions of this Bill. It will be appreciated, therefore, that it is necessary to have the Bill enacted before the new register comes into force on 15th April so that the register will have a proper statutory basis.
University Senators particularly, will note that the age for registration as an elector in the Seanad University consituencies is being reduced to 18 years. I understand that there are not many graduates under the age of 21 who will benefit from this change in any year but, nonetheless, it was considered a change well worth making by the present and previous Minister for Local Government.
The Bill proposes to reduce both the voting age at local government elections and the minimum age for membership of local authorities from 21 to 18 years. I am confident that Senators will agree that both these steps are desirable with a view to providing greater opportunities for young people to become involved in the democratic conduct of local affairs.
I hope the House will agree to take the Bill at this short notice. We will look for all Stages today.