The organisation will also examine the usage of election posters and whether byelections should be abolished as part of its yearly study schedule. The plan for the Government includes lowering the voting age to 17.

Fianna Fáil Senator Malcolm Byrne discusses his position on the issue with Newstalk in an interview from years ago and why he believes it is the appropriate decision.

“What age is reasonable for us to trust someone to vote in their local or national elections” is the topic of discussion.

The requests were detailed in a letter from the Minister for Housing and Local Government, Darragh O'Brien, to the head of the commission, Ms Justice Marie Baker, on July 19th, according to The Irish Times.

“Although it is required to confer with the Minister, an Oireachtas committee, and others, the commission's members ultimately select what research to do.”

“The demands put out by Mr. O'Brien are a result of agreements made in the Programme for Government.”

“In one of them, candidates would be forced to furnish a list of persons who may be co-opted to replace a vacancy should it occur, therefore potentially eliminating the need for byelections.”

“By using a similar mechanism for Dáil elections, byelections would be unnecessary. A similar system is already in place for European elections. The problem should be included in the commission's study agenda,” Mr. O'Brien told Ms. Baker.

“While we will be consulting with the Joint Oireachtas Committee, the Minister and others as appropriate, the decision on what research An Coimisin Toghcháin proposes for each year is a matter for the members of our Commission to decide,” the Commission said in a statement.