Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the fact that amendments Nos. 1 and 2 have been ruled out of order.

We need to create the space in which to craft a new discourse. That is particularly relevant in the time that faces the European Union, because what we are talking about here is local and European elections. I refer to a European discourse that includes citizens from diverse settings, beliefs and cultures about how our continent might present itself. In order to facilitate that dialogue, we need alternative political options, options that generate debate and options that involve citizens, extending the electoral franchise to include those at 16 and 17 years of age who wish to vote, and indeed, proper citizens' initiatives that are democratic because the current European citizens' initiative has been an embarrassing failure.

I quote President Michael D. Higgins:

We are, in contemporary Europe, confronted with uniquely difficult challenges. But the essential response lies in striving towards an open politically engaged but questioning, socially and culturally aware citizenship - a citizenship that develops and protects the institutions that protect individual rights and foster a sense of duty, responsibility and accountability.

That is what we are asking for.That is what young people are asking for. I commend the young people who have joined us in the Seanad today.