16-year-olds ‘too hormonal to vote’

The voting age should not be lowered because 16-year-olds are too “hormonal” to vote in elections, a TD has warned.

Independent TD Peter Mathews, 63, branded a bid to hold a referendum on giving full voting rights to 16- and 17-year-olds “daft” after it received cross-party support.

“Children aged 16 years are having hormonal battles in their bodies, heads, minds, and hearts,” said Mr Mathews. “They do not even have the confidence to come into a room to meet new people. We must stop this nonsense.”