Youth and women top priorities in political reform
Young people aged 16 and 17 will be able to pre-register to vote under a plan to modernise the electoral system and increase engagement in politics. The Electoral Reform Bill launched today (March 30), will also ensure that young people who are pre-registered will automatically be added to the electoral register when they turn 18.
The Bill will provide for the establishment of the Electoral Commission, an independent, specialist body with a broad remit in electoral oversight to inform the evolution of the Irish electoral system.
Green Party Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan TD, who launched the Bill, stated;
“We want to support young people to get involved in politics and have their voice heard. Research has shown that pre-registering 16- and 17-year-olds to vote can have a significant impact on participation. I’ll also be tasking the Commission with examining the Scottish experience of reducing the voting age to 17.
“This Bill and the new and independent Electoral Commission will work to make our Council, Seanad and Dáil chambers more fully representative of the people who live here - by making voter registration easier and more accessible, while strengthening the integrity of the process.”
We want to support young people to get involved in politics and have their voice heard. Research has shown that pre-registering 16- and 17-year-olds to vote can have a significant impact on participation.
Another key priority is to address the barriers that women in politics face. Often referred to as ‘the 5 C’s’ - confidence, childcare, cash, candidate selection, culture - the increasing exposure of public representatives to online harassment and abuse is also proving to be a serious deterrent for female participation.
Minister Catherine Martin, Deputy Leader of the Green Party stated;
“The Green Party in Government is determined to explore means of addressing women’s participation in politics through electoral reform, reform of local government and engagement with women’s advocacy organisations. Globally, just over 25% of political representatives are female. In Ireland, we are below average with just 23% of Dáil seats currently held by women. In this day and age it’s just not good enough. An equal Ireland for every woman can only be achieved through equal representation.”
Minister Noonan added;
"We can and must do better; we need to engage in a participative process with women in politics to establish what changes are needed in terms of childcare, parental leave, hours of meetings as well as tackling the fundamental culture of politics in Ireland that deters female representatives’ participation. When established, I aim to ensure that the Electoral Commission will be tasked with a research and advocacy role that would include researching international best practice on the participation of women in politics. In addition, I anticipate that the Commission would engage with civil society and ongoing media campaigns to promote greater participation and encourage change in how local authorities and the Oireachtas conduct their business towards a way that is more family-friendly and inclusive."
