Vote for 17-year-olds to be considered under convention

Giving 17-year-olds the right to vote looks set to be one of the first reforms examined by a new convention on constitutional change.

The body, intended to be the driving force behind a range of major changes, was agreed by Fine Gael and Labour as a way of gaining consensus on modernising political life. The reduction in voting age and a move to a five-year presidential term are expected to be the first two issues to be looked at by the convention.

Ahead of talks with opposition parties to formalise its structure and agenda, the convention looks likely to comprise 100 members made up of 66 citizens, 33 political figures and a chairperson.