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.

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.

Could the Parliamentary Secretary say what he means by "as soon as possible"?

This term.

I do not think it will be this term.

Surely it must be this term when the Government envisage the referendum in September?

It is envisaged that the referendum will take place in the autumn.

September?

And it may be possible to have it then.

How can the referendum take place in September if we do not have legislation until September?

I did not say——

But somebody did say September when this thing was first discussed.

It is proposed to have legislation through and the referendum taking place in the autumn.

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?

It is the intention tht they should go on for April, 1973.

That can be done even if the legislation is not enacted until after the names are collected?

There will be every endeavour to have the legislation in time.

Everything possible is not good enough.

Question No. 78. We cannot debate a question.

Will this be a very complicated measure?

No.

Well, why is it not put through?

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?

That is a separate question.

Votes at 18 for local government elections can be done by legislation.

When?

Deputies must put down specific questions if they want specific answers.

Is it not true that this refers to local elections and that I am entitled to inquire about the legislation?

The question refers to Presidential elections and general elections. Question No. 78.

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?

That would be a separate question.

It arises out of this matter.