Irish Examiner view: Listening to younger voices 

Ireland has flirted with this idea of younger enfranchisement in the past, but taken no action. Others are getting on with the job. That fact will not be lost on the youth of this country. Picture: Rui Vieira/PA

While Ireland is something of a back-marker in the debate of allowing 16 and 17-year-olds the vote, political analysts will have noted there is a tide running among European neighbours. 

This age group will be allowed to vote for the first time in next year’s European elections in Belgium, Germany, Austria, Malta, and Greece.