Young Fine Gael (YFG) President, Patrick Molloy, today called for the government to use the opportunity of the Children's Referendum as the first introduction of weekend voting in Ireland.
Young Fine Gael (YFG) President, Patrick Molloy, today called for the government to use the opportunity of the Children's Referendum as the first introduction of weekend voting in Ireland.
"There is a real need to ensure voting occurs at times when students and other young working people can participate fully in democracy and there is no better opportunity than the Children's Referendum to put this to the test. This referendum is really vital for the future society we want in Ireland, where the protection of children and the best interests of children are considered in decisions relating to them and their future well-being. Young people need to have their say," said Patrick Molloy, YFG President.
"YFG members recently voted at our inaugural Garret FitzGerald Summer School to legislate against holding any future elections or referenda in the middle of the working week. We have been lobbying Senators, TDs, and Ministers directly about this issue."
"The practice of holding midweek elections and referenda prevents many of those in third level education or young people working away from home from exercising their voice. If we want young people to participate in Irish politics we must give them the opportunity to do engage with it at the most important level – by being able to vote. Previous governments have consistently failed to address this issue and there is an expectation from young people in Ireland that this government will do so."
"Many of the decisions taken over the course of the next number of years will shape the future of the country and we must not prevent young people from having a voice in those decisions. The Children's Referendum is just one key example of that."
"There are numerous benefits to holding elections on Fridays or weekends, none more so than ensuring a fair reflection of the views of all Irish citizens," concluded Patrick Molloy, YFG President.
Young Fine Gael (YFG) President, Patrick Molloy, today called for the government to use the opportunity of the Children's Referendum as the first introduction of weekend voting in Ireland.
"There is a real need to ensure voting occurs at times when students and other young working people can participate fully in democracy and there is no better opportunity than the Children's Referendum to put this to the test. This referendum is really vital for the future society we want in Ireland, where the protection of children and the best interests of children are considered in decisions relating to them and their future well-being. Young people need to have their say," said Patrick Molloy, YFG President.
"YFG members recently voted at our inaugural Garret FitzGerald Summer School to legislate against holding any future elections or referenda in the middle of the working week. We have been lobbying Senators, TDs, and Ministers directly about this issue."
"The practice of holding midweek elections and referenda prevents many of those in third level education or young people working away from home from exercising their voice. If we want young people to participate in Irish politics we must give them the opportunity to do engage with it at the most important level – by being able to vote. Previous governments have consistently failed to address this issue and there is an expectation from young people in Ireland that this government will do so."
"Many of the decisions taken over the course of the next number of years will shape the future of the country and we must not prevent young people from having a voice in those decisions. The Children's Referendum is just one key example of that."
"There are numerous benefits to holding elections on Fridays or weekends, none more so than ensuring a fair reflection of the views of all Irish citizens," concluded Patrick Molloy, YFG President.
