Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In the Seanad this afternoon the First Minister of Scotland spoke openly about her support for 16 and 17 year olds casting their vote and having their say. In advance of the Bill that will come before us in the coming months I ask that all of us continue this positive conversation. In 2013, the Constitutional Convention recommended that those who reached the age of 16 should be allowed to vote in presidential, general, local and European elections, and in referenda. I am grateful for the support of Senator Lynn Ruane in co-sponsoring the Bill, which reflects the urgency and seriousness with which we take this issue. Young people are consistently painted as apathetic and indifferent to current and political affairs. The referendum on civil marriage equality and the referendum for Scottish independence represented a reality that is far different.

In light of this conversation, will the Leader revisit the issue with the Minister, Deputy Simon Coveney, from whom I have received a response on a referendum on the issue? The Bill only goes as far as local and European elections. Ideally we should move towards a position of a referendum on the issue. I ask the Leader to pursue this and for us all to consider the conversation.