Government commits to referendum on lowering voting age

The Government has officially committed to holding a referendum on lowering the voting age.

Environment Minister Phil Hogan told the Dáil a ballot to lower the age to 16 would be held in two years.

It is the first time the Government has committing to hold a public vote after a report by the Constitutional Convention.

Minister Hogan has told the Dáil that lowering the age could have several positive effects.

"Arguments in favour of reducing the voting age put forward at the convention included; it could help to increase electoral turn out, that the reducing the voting age would be consistent with other legal rights that 17 year olds already have and that it could help to facilitate voter registration through schools," he said.