Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Age is no definitive sign of one's maturity. That is quite clear. Interestingly, based on surveys, if 16- and 17-year-olds in the UK had the vote during the Brexit referendum in 2016, evidence shows the result would have been different. Clearly, they were more enthusiastic about the European Union, more pro the latter and had more to lose by being outside it. That is one of the sad points of that. I know 16- and 17-year-olds had the vote in the Scottish referendum in 2014 and probably will in next year's plebiscite, if it goes ahead. Young people engage. Some people have said on Twitter they voted "No" as a 16-year-old in 2014, but would vote "Yes" now. People's views and points of view change as they grow older.

Senator Malcolm Byrne made the point that perhaps 16- and 17-year-olds, and students in general, may be more left-leaning. That might be the case but it is not always. Senator Pauline O'Reilly and others made the point that evidence might not entirely show that, although it could be said anecdotally. All political parties have youth wings and people who are actively engaged. It is fair to say that practising politicians would all have been eager to vote at 16 were we in a position to do so. As Senator Pauline O'Reilly said, there are plenty of people in their 20s, 30s and 40s who have no interest in voting, do not vote and that is clearly shown by the turnout and the registers.

There are certainly valid issues at stake here. The Minister said the commission can establish committees to look at this, which is outlined in this section of the Bill. Presumably, the commission, which will be independent, can make up its own mind on what issues it would like to examine. Can the Government advise or suggest what it could look at? The commission needs to produce a strategy statement as soon as is practicable in the first instance, but thereafter every three years. That is another element of where the commission can look at this. The functions of the commission are to encourage participation. If participation is being encouraged, clearly the issue of 16- and 17-year-olds needs to be looked at.

Regardless of whether this amendment can be accepted, or another wording can be looked at, I look forward to the Minister of State's response. It is safe to say it will happen at some stage. The question is when.