A charity that works with young people says it is extremely disappointed that Ireland voted against lowering the age of presidential candidates.

Future Voices says it was a missed opportunity to scrap a negative stereotype about an entire group of people.

The proposal was defeated in all 43 constituencies. Final results showed 73.06% of voters said No to the proposed amendment, with only 26.94% choosing Yes on their ballot papers. Turnout was more than 60%.

Future Voices says the result was down to a lack of engagement on the issue by the Government. None of the political parties actively promoted the referendum. 

CEO of Future Voices Mairead Healy says it was a once in a lifetime opportunity:

In a statement, the charity adds that they praise "the mobilisation of young people on the marriage referendum and believe that this both demonstrates how young people can effectively engage in politics and shows how deeply they care about the future of their country.

"It is apparent in this referendum that people unknowingly voted for inequality on one ballot paper and for equality on the other," the statement adds.