Sir, – Public representatives of four political parties express a wish to lower the voting age to 16 (“Minister says voting age should be reduced as politicians debate Electoral Reform Bill”, News, June 1st).
This proposal raises some questions. Does it mean that young people can be discharged from the care system at 16 and does it also mean that when they attain that age the State will no longer have an obligation to assess the care they receive from parents or carers? Will lawbreakers, who are in the 16-18 age group, be remanded in adult prisons?
Either one is an adult, with all the attendant rights and responsibilities, or one is not.
This proposal smacks of populism but what else is new from our political representatives? – Yours, etc,
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MARGARET LEE,
Newport,
Co Tipperary.