Síle de Valera
EU report on youth
Consideration is to be given by the European Union to reducing the voting age to 16 across the EU, following a conference of youth ministers and youth organisations at Dromoland Castle, Co Clare.
The idea is considered a practical measure aimed at reducing young voter apathy and getting young people to participate more in politics.
This conference, held as part of Ireland's EU youth presidency programme, took on a new format that allowed young people themselves from organisations throughout Europe to get directly involved.
The young people engaged in talks with youth ministers about how best to try to get young people to participate more in politics and in the political and social institutions of europe.
Policy makers are increasingly concerned about the fact that less and less people are voting.
The voting age reduction proposal, which emerged as policy makers are increasingly concerned about dwindling numbers of young people voting, is aimed at getting people to exercise their franchise at a younger age to try and encourage their political interests and habits.
The issue is to be outlined in Junior Education Minister, Síle de Valera's report on the conference.
