“Each year a new Register of Electors comes into force on February 15th, and each year the opportunity is missed to ensure all newly entitled young adults are added to the register,” said Michael Shovlin, Leas Cathaoirleach Ógra Fianna Fáil.

He continued saying, “The ability and information necessary to have an automatic system of registration is already in place through the Department of Social and Family Affairs. That Department, based on the registration of children for child benefit, is charged with issuing sixteen year olds with their PPS numbers, and this information and capability should be extended to afford eighteen year olds the right to vote.”

Ógra Fianna Fáil are concerned that the procedure necessary to have a name added to the register following its publication each year, including having the application witnessed at a Garda Síochana station, is considered to be a hassle by many young people and that this results in most newly-turned eighteen year olds being disenfranchised at polling time.

“In the year ahead we are likely to have not only by-elections, but also a referendum on the European Constitution. It is vital that young people are given every opportunity to participate in our democracy and have their say. The introduction of automatic voter registration for eighteen years olds would be a simple pragmatic step to take in achieving this goal,” Mr. Shovlin concluded.