As the general election nears and talk increases around whether new political alliances are likely to replace the old we thought we would ask our young readers about how they feel about the election and about Irish politics in general.
A recent Irish Times opinion poll showed younger voters are among those who are most in favour of change but do you feel the current crop of candidates is likely to deliver that change?
Issues relating to climate change and housing are being discussed and debated at national level but how seriously do you think our politicians really take these and other issues?
We will canvas your opinion on different political matters and hopefully see how you feel they could be resolved.
Join the conversation and have your say - and we’ll publish a selection of entries over the coming days.
What single issue are you most likely to consider when casting your vote and why?
The following is a selection of answers submitted by readers.
Being a student living away from home in Dublin is tough enough with studying and finding a right balance. When considering who I should cast my vote on, I look into political parties that have our best interests in mind such as, the housing crisis, human rights and their stance on Irish and the possibility of a united Ireland. - Cormac Butler
Environment over Economy. Our lives over our livelihoods and how society MUST be restructured to slow down the imminent extinction of our species. - Sarah Finnegan
The issue I am most passionate about in this General Election is climate change. Ireland has ranked as the worst country in Europe on climate action in the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI). Fine Gael blocked the Green Party Waste Reduction Bill which would ban some single-use plastic and initiate a bottle deposit and return scheme. They also opposed the Climate Emergency Bill which would have stopped offshore oil and gas exploration. The last government also cut funding for cycling while at the same time they increased investment in unsustainable transport. Fine Gael's proposed so-called Climate Action plan is totally insufficient. Their timelines for any action are too remote, given the scale of the problem we are facing. Sea levels and ocean temperatures are rising. We are seeing a rapid increase in natural disasters on a global scale, as a direct result of global warming. The current government has prioritised jobs over saving our planet. This is putting the cart before the horse. We need a healthy planet to have jobs. We need a healthy planet to live. We need a new government that will prioritise action against global warming; a government that will take real action instead of spinning or trying to greenwash their way out of criticism; a government that will rapidly plant millions of trees and take every single step they can to reduce our carbon emissions. A good way to determine a party's future behaviour is to look at its past. That is why I have no faith in Fine Gael delivering the vital and urgent change we need on climate action. - Fiona O'Malley
Despite living in a well off area and studying in Trinity College Dublin, I care a lot about those less well of in society. Our current government seems to not care in the slightest. It is almost criminal in its disgregard for those who didn't share the silver spoon with them. Council and affordable housing are almost non existent and need to have drastic improvements. Public healthcare should be taken seriously, teachers salaries should be increased to attract smart people in these roles. Many public schools have inadequate teachers. I for one didn't have one in my final year for a few months and then was given a college student with no experience in teaching. Another massive problem is lack of stuff for youth these days to do and it's leading to an increasing crime rate. Drug usage (but not selling) should be decriminalised. It has worked wonders in society in Portugal with only two deaths connected to illicit substances. - Séamus Hurley
The most important problems with this country at the moment are glaringly obvious: Health & Housing. These should be the priority of course, however another very pressing matter is the climate. We can't use the excuse anymore that climate isn't important enough to address. This is why I will be voting Green Party in the upcoming general election. - Michael Linnane
Inequality is important. Property tax and the UCD charge. Also, pension age needs to go back to 65. Renewable energy and Seai (Sustainable Energy Authority Of Ireland) schemes important. Susi grants also important. - Naomi Leahy
