A new campaign aimed at increasing voter turnout among young voters is to call on the help of Dara O'Briain and Cillian Murphy when it launches next April.
Cillian Murphy: encouraging younger people to vote.
A spokesperson for the campaign, Rock The Vote Ireland, said that both O'Briain and Murphy would record video clips encouraging young voter turnout in the General Election. The clips would be placed on youth websites like Bebo, MySpace and Youtube.
Patrick Cosgrave - the campaign's executive director said: "Eight months ago it was nothing but an idea I had chatted about with mates over a pint. If someone had told me back then that in eight months the campaign could count on the likes of Dara O'Briain, Cillian Murphy and dozens of others as supporters I'd have just have laughed. We've come a long way and we are hopeful we'll have a positive impact this election."
In the US, Rock The Vote has had high profile celebrity supporters including Justin Timberlake, P. Diddy and Madonna. The Irish campaign has announced a full partnership with the US.
Speaking on the announcement of the partnership, Hans Riemer, political director in the United States, said: "Rock the Vote has inspired millions of young people to participate not only in the US but around the world. We are excited to launch our new licensed partnership in Ireland. We think they're going to be a big hit."
Rock The Vote is a non-partisan campaign and the organisers hope the campaign will be supported by all political activists and election candidates.