Seven out of 10 Dublin-based people aged between 21 and 30 intend to vote in the next general election - but fewer than 2 per cent of 16 to 20-year-olds surveyed know who is the current Minister for Transport, according to a survey conducted for a youth organisation in Dublin.
The survey of 325 individuals, mostly aged between 16 and 35, also indicates that 72 per cent of those in the 31-35 age group say they will vote.
But just 1.6 per cent of 16 to 20-year-olds surveyed could name Martin Cullen as the Minister for Transport.
The research was carried out in Dublin city centre last November by Junior Chamber International Dublin, a voluntary organisation which encourages personal development and networking for young people.
According to chamber president Mark Kelly, a similar study by the Central Statistics Office in 2002 revealed that 54 per cent of people in the 20-24 age group voted. However, he said yesterday that many young voters who intend to vote face difficulties in doing so. For example, if they have moved to Dublin but are registered to vote in their home county they may not make it back. He said more must be done to encourage young people to start voting earlier.
"Politicians need to start taking youth issues in Ireland seriously," he said. "They must put the same emphasis on youth issues in Ireland as they put on the issues affecting pensioners."
The chamber would like to see younger political candidates selected who represent young people and their issues.