The Tanaiste has described the low turnouts in recent elections and referendums as "most alarming". Ms Harney told a meeting of the National Youth Parliament in Dublin that for many young people, "it is not so much a case of being turned off by politics. It's a case of never being turned on in the first place."
She said: "Politics must become more dynamic and more relevant if it is to secure the interest of first-time voters - and sustain it. In Dail Eireann currently, there are only six TDs under 30 years of age. Less than 20 per cent of the current crop of TDs are under 40 years of age."
The Tanaiste was speaking at the publication of the recommendations from the recent National Youth Parliament which was attended by 200 young people. "Many of the new entrants to the Dail come from families where a tradition of political representation exists, but if politics if to draw people to it from a wider pool, in the same way as other professions, it must do its business efficiently and effectively," Ms Harney said.
The National Youth Parliament made 37 recommendations including issuing all asylum-seekers with work visas while they were waiting for decisions on their official status. It is also seeking more residential treatment places for drug-addicts and a "far-reaching sexual education programme" in schools that would be taught separately from religion.
Ms Linsey Abreu-Molloy of the Youth Parliament said: "Two out every five Irish people are under 25 years of age and with concerns about the declining participation among young people in politics, the Government should look carefully at the recommendations."
The 37 recommendations are to be sent to every Oireachtas member, religious leaders as well as business and trade union leaders.