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Dáil Éireann - Volume 260 - 04 May, 1972 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Votes at 18. Mr. Desmond Mr. Desmond 77. Mr. Desmond asked the Minister for Local Government when he expects to introduce the Bill to provide for votes at 18 for presidential elections, referenda and general elections. Mr. Cunningham Mr. Cunningham Mr. Cunningham: I propose to move for leave to introduce a Constitution Amendment Bill to provide for votes at 18 years at presidential and Dáil elections and referenda as soon as possible after the holding of the referendum on accession to the European Communities. Mr. Hogan Mr. Hogan Mr. Hogan: Could the Parliamentary Secretary say what he means by “as soon as possible”? Dr. O'Donovan Dr. O'Donovan Dr. O'Donovan: This term. Mr. Cunningham Mr. Cunningham Mr. Cunningham: I do not think it will be this term. Dr. FitzGerald Dr. FitzGerald Dr. FitzGerald: Surely it must be this term when the Government envisage the referendum in September? Mr. Cunningham Mr. Cunningham Mr. Cunningham: It is envisaged that the referendum will take place in the autumn. Dr. FitzGerald Dr. FitzGerald Dr. FitzGerald: September? Mr. Cunningham Mr. Cunningham Mr. Cunningham: And it may be possible to have it then. Dr. FitzGerald Dr. FitzGerald Dr. FitzGerald: How can the referendum take place in September if we do not have legislation until September? Mr. Cunningham Mr. Cunningham Mr. Cunningham: I did not say—— Dr. FitzGerald Dr. FitzGerald Dr. FitzGerald: But somebody did say September when this thing was first discussed. Mr. Cunningham Mr. Cunningham Mr. Cunningham: It is proposed to have legislation through and the referendum taking place in the autumn. Dr. FitzGerald Dr. FitzGerald 1750 [1750] Dr. FitzGerald: Could I press the Parliamentary Secretary on this because the whole point of the Government announcement of a September referendum was presumably that the collection of names for the register which takes place in September would, this September, include people aged 18 and upwards. The suggestion now that this deadline is not to be adhered to but is to be pushed forward raises the question as to whether we are still guaranteeing that the collection of names in September will cover 18 year olds and that they will go on the register for April, 1973. Are the Government now trying to postpone it to April, 1974? Mr. Cunningham Mr. Cunningham Mr. Cunningham: It is the intention tht they should go on for April, 1973. Dr. FitzGerald Dr. FitzGerald Dr. FitzGerald: That can be done even if the legislation is not enacted until after the names are collected? Mr. Cunningham Mr. Cunningham Mr. Cunningham: There will be every endeavour to have the legislation in time. Dr. FitzGerald Dr. FitzGerald Dr. FitzGerald: Everything possible is not good enough. An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Denis Francis Jones An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: Question No. 78. We cannot debate a question. Dr. O'Donovan Dr. O'Donovan Dr. O'Donovan: Will this be a very complicated measure? Mr. Cunningham Mr. Cunningham Mr. Cunningham: No. Dr. O'Donovan Dr. O'Donovan Dr. O'Donovan: Well, why is it not put through? Mr. Bruton Mr. Bruton Mr. Bruton: Will it be necessary to introduce ordinary legislation to change the provision in regard to local elections in addition to the constitutional amendment legislation which will be required for the other elections and, if so, when is it expected to introduce the ordinary legislation? An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Denis Francis Jones An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: That is a separate question. Mr. Cunningham Mr. Cunningham Mr. Cunningham: Votes at 18 for local government elections can be done by legislation. Dr. FitzGerald Dr. FitzGerald Dr. FitzGerald: When? An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Denis Francis Jones 1751 [1751] An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: Deputies must put down specific questions if they want specific answers. Mr. Bruton Mr. Bruton Mr. Bruton: Is it not true that this refers to local elections and that I am entitled to inquire about the legislation? An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Denis Francis Jones An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: The question refers to Presidential elections and general elections. Question No. 78. Mr. Cooney Mr. Cooney Mr. Cooney: Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there has been a judicial opinion expressed to the effect that a referendum is not necessary to make this change? An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Denis Francis Jones An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: That would be a separate question. Mr. Cooney Mr. Cooney Mr. Cooney: It arises out of this matter. Dáil Éireann 260 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. Votes at 18. Questions 19720504
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