Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Without interruption because sometimes people do not like to hear that they are going to get up and vote against this because that is their party's stated policy. Fianna Fáil has the opportunity with young people in the Gallery. Young people have no doubt because they are engaged in the political process as Senator Craughwell rightly said. The notion that young people are not following this and judging it is wrong.

If Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and others had any sense, they would rush to empower and enfranchise young people. It is a very short window of time before they will have the opportunity at 18 to vote and they will remember who taxed them at 16 and, as Senator Craughwell said, expected them to meet certain conditions in life in terms of their public contribution. They will remember who wanted them to contribute to the State and put their trust in it but who would not return the favour and gratitude. The coalition Government of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael would not trust them and empower them. They come in here and give all of the plamás and beal grá about how great it was 100 years ago to enfranchise some women, which it was. At this point in time, however, it is as plain as the nose on one's face that the people driving politics not just in this State but across the country are young people. As it has always been, they are at the fore to demand social change and progress and changes in the law.

It is as simple as I said in the last debate on the matter. Governments of the last ten to 15 years have punished young people. They have been on the receiving end of the worst excesses of economic illiteracy. They have been driven into poverty and the so-called recovery in which they cannot afford a home or child care. They can hardly get a job. The status quoand the establishment are afraid of those young people being empowered and entrusted with their democratic right to vote. I believe fundamentally as a republican in enfranchising and empowering citizens and providing them with equality and rights. If young people are to be expected to contribute to many other aspects of political, social and legislative life in the State, why are they not trusted with the vote? What is the rationale? The parties say they will talk to teachers, youth groups, youth clubs and parents as if young people do not exist outside the classroom, as if they do not have an identity, life, experience and relationships and as if they do not contribute to life and politics. The most basic courtesy we can extend to 16 year olds is to trust them and give them the right to decide on us. I am happy to put myself out in front of 16 year olds if I have the honour and privilege to go forward for election any time in future. I wonder if other potential candidates can say the same.