Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
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127. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his Department has considered lowering the voting age to 16- or 17-years-of-age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39441/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government – Our Shared Future contains a specific commitment to examine the Scottish experience of reducing the voting age in order to draw conclusions.

The Programme for Government also committed to the establishment of a statutory, independent Electoral Commission. This was established on the 9 February 2023. An Coimisiún Toghcháin, Ireland’s independent Electoral Commission, was established in accordance with the relevant provisions of Part 2 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022. An Coimisiún has been assigned a research, advisory and public information function which will see it carry out research on electoral policy and procedure.

An Coimisiún has also been empowered to advise and make recommendations to the Government in relation to any proposals for legislative change, or any other policy matters concerning electoral and legislative proposals.

An Coimisiún Toghcháin published its inaugural Research Programme 2024-2026 on 10 July 2024. Its research programme includes a commitment to examine the issue of a possible reduction in the voting age. In accordance with the Government commitment, this policy area will be reviewed by my Department once An Coimisiún has considered and reported on the issue.