Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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163. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to report on his request made in July 2023 to An Coimisiún Toghcháin to examine the issue of reducing the voting age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64253/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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An Coimisiún Toghcháin, Ireland’s independent Electoral Commission, was established on 9 February 2023 in accordance with the relevant provisions of Part 2 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022.

An Coimisiún's research, advisory and public information function will see it carry out research on electoral policy and procedure. An Coimisiún is also empowered to advise and make recommendations to the Government in relation to any proposals for legislative change, or any other policy matters concerning electoral policy or procedures.

In advance of its first research programme being finalised, my predecessor, Minister O'Brien, wrote to the Chair of the commission recommending that a review of the minimum voting age be included in its research programme. An Coimisiún 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. This policy area will be reviewed by my Department once An Coimisiún has considered and reported on the issue.