Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I also welcome all of the people of different ages who are seated in the Visitors Gallery and thank them for taking the time to come here.

I commend Senators Fintan Warfield, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn and Lynn Ruane on introducing this Bill. Senator Norris is right that the Bill consists of three paragraphs on two pages. Let us be clear what this Bill is about. It states: "An Act to reduce to sixteen years the age at which a person is entitled to be registered as a European Parliament and Local Government Elector, and to provide for related matters." That is simple.

It is possible on this very day for the Taoiseach to nominate a 16 year old to be a Member of Seanad Éireann.