There are renewed calls to reduce the voting age to 16.
The National Youth Council says it would be a positive move - and is disappointed there's been no progress to date.
16 year old Orla Fitzpatrick thinks it make sense.
"Even if you can't get a mortgage or drive; [politics] still effects you and still makes an impact on your life."
While Adam Kavanagh, also 16, thinks young people would act like adults when it comes to voting,
"We'd gather info, look at campaigns. We're smart enough to make up our own minds."
Countries such as Wales, Austria and Malta have already reduced the voting age to 16 - so should Ireland do the same?
Fianna Fail senator Malcolm Byrne thinks so.
V happy that @fiannafailparty and @MichealMartinTD at meeting this pm endorsed my proposals on supports for young people postCovid as well as ways to enhance youth participation in society. Young people have lost out on a lot : we need to offer a new deal. Positive ideas welcome
— Malcolm Byrne (@malcolmbyrne) March 3, 2021
He suggested reducing the voting age for the 2024 local and European elections at this week's Fianna Fail parliamentary party meeting.
He said young people have the "maturity and interest in political issues."
"Whether it's in climate change or human rights or on having youth facilities within their communities."
But not everyone agrees.
Noel Howard from Social Care Ireland thinks people at that age do not have enough life experience.
"They are the least politically informed, the least politically experienced and the least mature in terms of making long term decisions."
The National Youth Council estimates around 120,000 people would be added to the register of 16 and 17 year olds got the vote.
It's calling for a new push by the Oireachtas to make that a reality in the coming years.
