Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to speak in support of the amendment and perhaps give my colleagues some time to consider their approach. As other speakers have said, the section gives the commission power at any time to dissolve a committee. I assume that would apply to this committee as well. A report was launched by the Children's Rights Alliance recently which, among other things, called for a lowering of the voting age to 16. I will read a statement from Tanya Ward of the Children's Rights Alliance:

Ireland has made great strides to step out of the shadows of our past and create a society where children and young people have a voice. However, rights on paper are not enough and what is clear from this report, young people are ready to help shape the future they want to see for themselves and their peers. When they are given the right information and opportunities to do so, as this report demonstrates, they bring valuable insights to the table. Now is the time to give children and young people a true voice in our political system.

This is a very well-worded, sensible amendment. Senator Higgins and I spoke at an event organised by Young Voices some years ago. There are avenues where young people can express their views at local and national levels, but this is just one other option, and it is worthy of the Government's support.