16/12/2014

Sinn Féin Call For Referendum On Voting Age

Sinn Féin has called for a referendum to be held on lowering the voting age.

The party's spokesperson on the Environment and Local Government made the call following an earlier announcement that the government would hold a referendum to lower the age at which someone can stand for the Presidency, from 35 to 21.

"I welcome the move to hold a referendum on lowering the age for Presidential candidates, as recommended by the Constitutional Convention," Deputy Stanley said.

"I would also urge that the Government also hold a referendum on the same day to put a proposal that the voting age in all elections be lowered from 18 to 16. Both Government parties committed to lowering the voting age in their programme for government.

"I published a Bill containing this proposal a few months ago, and was hoping to introduce it in the Dáil in the New Year. However, I do not see any reason, given the general support for lowering the voting age, why that could not also be put to referendum on the same day as the change to the Presidential age."

(MH/CD)

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