Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It has been a healthy debate which has allowed views from all sides of the House to be expressed. I was very struck by what Senator Mullen said about our future leaders. I constantly get annoyed when young people are told they are the future. Young people are as much a part of the present within Irish society. They have as much responsibility and as much right to take up leadership roles. We see this already not just with Comhairle na nÓg and various youth organisations. When we meet groups like the BT young scientists, young social innovators and young social entrepreneurs, I am constantly impressed by the vision they have for Ireland. This vision is what should be informing our debate. That is not to discount the contribution that should be made by those with experience. As Senator Craughwell said, somebody who is an "elder lemon" may have an opportunity to contribute because of their different experiences in life.

It is critically important that we recognise the leadership provided by young people. I will give a very specific example of this. For those of us who took part in the debate about the online safety and media regulation legislation, which has since been enacted, the input and contributions by young people who have a far greater awareness of the impact of technology on society, was quite profound.

Senator McDowell is correct in the sense that, yes, we should always have a debate about the age at which somebody can do something. I and others are certainly not arguing that 16 should be the common age of responsibility in all areas.

Senator Martin outlined the different ages at which people can do things such as paying tax, serving in the Defence Forces or driving. Debates on these points do need to happen. The very simple debate here is about what age we believe young people should be allowed the right to franchise. That is the debate here. It is not a debate about criminal responsibility or a thing else. It is very specific to this particular issue. The reason is specifically about the local and European elections is because we can take action on it and we can do something about it.

I was very taken by Senator Wall's remarks about youth wings of the political parties, including Ógra Fianna Fáil, being very active on this issue. Like him, I have gone to transition year classes and spoken with the students. I got a variety of views about whether we extend the right. The majority do take the view that the voting age be extended. It is very clear that young people want to be engaged with the political process.Whether that is through what is happening in their local communities or in services for young people or whether it is about ensuring the planet is sustained well into the future, young people have a valid and important view and this issue needs to be seen in that broader context. The Minister of State is right in that it has to be seen in terms of the education system and how we engage people more broadly. I agree with Senator Cummins that removing the exam element of CSPE was a mistake. When talking to young people, they want to know from an early age about how decisions are made in their society. I found it unusual that, when I spoke to transition year groups, they wanted to understand taxes – how they were collected and where they were being spent. When those young people got their payslips and saw all the lines of deductions, they wanted to understand exactly what those meant.

All of that is part of a broader civic engagement, but this legislation is clearly about extending the franchise. I was informed early on that it would be allowed to progress. While I have great respect for the Electoral Commission, it can do its research in parallel with the debate in these Houses and each can inform the other’s process. We should be more radical and we need to discuss having a national commission on young people’s participation in democracy. I hope the Minister of State will allow the Bill to progress.