Young people across this Island are facing a crisis.

More than 70% of us are contemplating emigration. Even more are stuck in damp box rooms, trying to build an adult life in a child's bedroom. Third-level education fees are on the rise. Young workers are still paid sub-minimum wage for doing the same job as their colleagues. The far-right are trying to stoke racism and division in our communities, attacking us, our friends, our neighbours, as the state all too often turns a blind eye. Our entire lives have been dominated by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael's austerity politics: all of these problems are a choice, made day in and day out by politicians more interested in boosting the economy.  

But right now, this election, offers hope. A chance for our generation to make our voices heard. To elect a President who will not only listen to us, but raise our voices to relentlessly advocate for a new Ireland. It is a special role, one that should symbolise the vision we have for our country: a place where young people can see a secure, united future, where the Irish language can flourish and grow, where our beautiful culture of poetry, of sport, of craic agus ceol is celebrated and central. This is only the beginning, but getting a progressive voice in the Áras, who will stand by our interests, is step one. 

For neutrality. For housing. For our language. For social justice. For Irish unity. For us. 

Every door knocked, leaflet distributed, every phone bank is a potential vote for our future. Join Youth for Connolly today, we can make a change.