Labour Youth call for the voting age to be lowered

national | rights, freedoms and repression | press release Monday June 23, 2008 00:26 by Labour Youth

Labour's youngest local election candidate, Dermot Looney has joined with Cllr Eric Byrne to call for the voting age to be lowered to 16 for Local and European elections.

Labour's youngest local election candidate, Dermot Looney has joined with Cllr Eric Byrne to call for the voting age to be lowered to 16 for Local and European elections.

Speaking at the launch held at Dublin City Hall yesterday Dermot Looney said: "16 and 17 year olds have a great deal of experience with the democratic process. The teenagers of this generation have far more knowledge of politics through the CSPE programme in secondary schools. They are increasingly engaged in political and charity campaigns. And they are heavily impacted on by decisions made at local and European level.

"Articles 12 and 16 of our Constitution enforce a voting age of 18 and above for Dáil and Presidential elections in Ireland. But there is no such constitutional requirement for local and European elections, such as those happening in 12 months time.

"As someone who is in contact with young people on a daily basis and in a variety of capacities, I am constantly encouraged by their commitment to social justice, equality and democracy. Many teenagers are rightly angered by the demonisation of youth by conservative politicians and media outlets. Now is the time for young people to stand up and be counted.