Sir, – Senator Malcolm Byrne writes (Letters, May 3rd) children aged 16 and 17 should be given the right to vote in local and European elections. If the purpose of his proposal is to provide children with a sandbox in which to play politics before having a vote which counts, why not extend the universal franchise to Seanad elections, where we can all have fun electing harmless politicians with no effective powers? – Yours, etc,
DAVID LOUGHLIN,
Rathmines,
Dublin 6.
Sir, – In setting out his case for lowering the voting age to 16- and 17-year-olds, Senator Malcolm Byrne suggests that the “optional politics and society course at second level needs to become compulsory for all students”.
In a world of political disinformation, there is merit in teaching such a subject.
However, may I wish him the best in this pursuit, considering that the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment in their nuanced 2019 report recommended that Junior Cycle history be maintained as merely an optional choice. With the then-minister for education Joe McHugh having thankfully granted “special core status” to Junior Cycle history, we may do well to hold what we have. – Yours, etc,
Dr THEO RYAN,
Friar’s Hill,
Co Wicklow.