Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on this Bill. As Deputy Mathews pointed out, it is difficult to know whether an individual is fitted at the age of 21 years to know about what is involved in going through life but perhaps some people started various things at a young age. As a nation, we should start by giving the diaspora the opportunity to vote in presidential elections. I am aware that the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Deenihan, is making inroads on this issue. It is important that the people who have left the country have their say in presidential elections. I acknowledge that complications arise in this regard. We have proposed to reduce the age for voting. At present our law provides that 18 years is the limit for a wide variety of matters. It would require considerable legislative effort to change this.

We have to be open-minded on the referendum and perhaps we will decide that we should give youth a chance. We should be broad-minded in what we do because at the end of the day, it will be the people going to the polls who decide whether the President is 25 years, 75 years or 95 years. While some people would be cautious about the issue because a President has to consider legislation, Presidents have advisors who will help them understand the legislation they sign.

At 18, 19 or 20 years of age, many young people today have learned more than many would have learned at 30 or 35 in previous times. These young people are attending college and are very capable and we should be open to allowing them this opportunity. It is the people who will decide which way we go. I understand that some people have concerns that an applicant for the Presidency may be a rock or pop star and that all young people would vote for him or her because of that. However, we must take all of this on board. People who cast their vote in a ballot are grown adults who are making a decision on the best way forward. Some people of note who have expressed their views on this issue are worried, but others are very much in favour of it.

All in all, the opportunity should be there for all. Who decided 35 is the right age for being President but 30 is not? We should be prepared to reduce the age to 21 and I have no difficulty with that. I thank the Minister of State for attending to hear our views.

See this speech in context