Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 288: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the deadline for when he will introduce legislation in regard to spending limits for local elections; the amount of the limit and the applicable period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47370/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I intend to bring forward proposals in the near future for legislative change to allow for the introduction of spending limits at local elections. It is my intention to have the limits in place for the local elections to be held in 2009. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to examine spending limits at local elections as part of the Green Paper on Local Government. Submissions made in the course of preparing the Green Paper, published in April 2008, were generally supportive of some kind of expenditure limit. In October 2008, I consulted the Joint Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the issue of spending limits. A policy research document prepared on behalf of the Committee and presented at that meeting offered useful practical guidance. There are a number of complexities that need to be considered, and I discussed these with members of the Committee. I am conscious of the proximity of the local elections due to be held next year, and work is therefore being expedited in my Department on the preparation of the proposed legislative changes.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 289: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he will complete the consultation process in regard to election posters; when he expects to introduce new regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47371/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I refer to Question No. 497 of 30 September 2008. The position is unchanged.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 290: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if it his intention to lower the voting age to 16 in the forthcoming local elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47372/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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In accordance with electoral law, a person must be eighteen years of age or over in order to vote at local elections. This is consistent with the position in most countries, including the EU Member States. While electoral law is subject to ongoing review, there is no proposal at present to reduce the voting age in Ireland.