A PROPOSAL that the voting age be reduced from 18 to 16 for next summer’s European and local elections is to be included in the Labour Party’s election manifesto.
The manifesto is to be unveiled at the party’s annual conference in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, in March.
Labour environment spokes- man Ciarán Lynch said articles 12 and 16 of the Constitution provided for a voting age of 18 years and above for Dáil and presidential elections in the Republic.
He noted, however, that there was no such constitutional requirement for local and European elections.
Teenagers, Mr Lynch said, now had far more knowledge of politics as a result of the civics programme in secondary schools.
“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,” he said.
“Young people are increasingly engaged in political and charity campaigns.”
Mr Lynch added that students had become further politicised by the controversy relating to the proposal to restore third-level fees, as well as by the difficulty they faced getting casual part-time employment.