“The biggest environmental issue in Northern Ireland is the need for an independent environmental protection agency to be set up.”
Friends of the Earth director James Orr
“Campaigners have been calling for that for 25 years and it remains a number-one priority.
“Most of the issues we care about are devolved issues, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be addressed by politicians in Westminster.
“The second key issue is the need for a just settlement for Lough Neagh, which means bad food policy, water policy, sewerage policy all need to be looked at, as well as underinvestment.
“That is something MPs could lobby the Chancellor of the Exchequer on.”
Mr Orr said it is impossible to find a political party that is fully signed up to transitioning away from an extraction economy, “which is all about taking”, to a “more balanced”, regenerative economy.
“There are people in all parties that are interested in these issues, but no party is interested in them all, so it doesn’t seem to translate into political power.”
“It is confusing for voters who are guided by environmental principles — there isn’t really a focus on this type of politics at Westminster.
“People elect MPs on the old issues, which totally eclipse the real issues, which are land, air and water.
“That tends to squeeze out debate on more important stuff.”
Retired pensioner Johnny Graham (77), from Lisburn
“I am very conscious it’s a Westminster election, so it doesn’t affect what happens up on the hill, but I am very exercised about health and education.
“I have a 10-year-old granddaughter who is getting an excellent education at her primary school, but I worry that the system isn’t properly fit for purpose.
“I’m concerned about young people’s mental health, so that means I am also concerned about the health service, which is one of the reasons I’m voting.
“I’m also concerned about older people like me, but more about those under the age of 18.
“I’m fed up listening to the main parties weaponising a subject,” he said about why he is voting for the Alliance Party.
“Particularly when it came to the budget, they should have sat down and agreed on a long-term solution and try to get us somewhere with the health service, instead of just going away for their own little area.
“I am confident in Sorcha Eastwood. I wouldn’t be voting Alliance if I wasn’t confident.
“They’re not stuck with dogma [like] some of the other main parties. I want practical solutions to improving public services, not b****ing about it.
“I’m keen that stuff is done for the mental health of young people, but also for the care home problem and the waiting list issues. It’s not rocket science, surely?”
Journalist Jessica Rice (22), from Armagh
“I think the main thing young people want to see as a result of the election is economic change.
“We can’t remember a time when Northern Ireland was economically prosperous.
“We grew up during the recession and now, as we are entering the workforce and adult life, we are faced with the cost-of-living crisis.
“Young people aren’t socialising the way they did 10 or 20 years ago. And it’s not because we don’t want to, it’s because we can’t afford to.
“Many of us have accepted we will probably never own a home, especially if we stay in Northern Ireland.
“Every weekend it feels like it’s another person’s going-away party.
“Educated and skilled people who want to stay in Northern Ireland are moving to Australia or Dubai for better pay and working conditions.
“We just want the new Westminster Government to change something to give the economy a much-needed boost so that we can afford to live comfortably from now on.”
Young parent Eimear McGovern, from Coleraine
“As a young mum of one child, my biggest priority when it comes to voting in the Westminster election is childcare, which is where most of my money goes and which is a devolved issue.
“But any future MP in my constituency of East Londonderry could help me by advocating for further tax credits to cut the cost for parents centrally.
“They could also work to increase child benefit to reflect the struggle parents face as the cost of living creeps higher and higher each year, completely out of pace, personally, with my wage.
“A candidate who is strong on health issues would also catch my eye, to ensure my family’s continued wellbeing, now and into the future.
“I’m pregnant and will have to give birth to my second child in a different hospital because my local hospital is no longer carrying out full maternity services, so I’m well aware of the difficulties which have been faced for many years in the health service.”
Co Tyrone farmer Ronan Campbell
“The agri community is a small proportion of the electorate and, unfortunately, we are not at the forefront in election campaigns.
“We’d like to see a fair promotion of our industry and product, fighting our corner when required, but also holding us accountable if and when required.”
Mr Campbell, from Ardboe, said there needed to be a recognition that not just farmers were to blame for Lough Neagh’s problems.
“Agriculture has to shoulder some of the blame, but not to the extent that is being broadcast.
“I run the family farm with environment in mind, like the vast amount of farmers do, but it only takes a few to tarnish us all.
“The agricultural community is a very resilient bunch. We get up, whether sick, tired, rain, hail or snow, and work away.
“We hope bureaucracy will decrease and that if legislation is to be introduced, it is for local areas, not one-size-fits-all.
“We live in hope.”
Belfast Tattoo Club owner Stephen Titoli
“The Belfast Tattoo Club is a tattoo parlour at Pottinger’s Entry in the heart of ‘old’ Belfast.
“As the owner of this small business, and as a tax payer, I would like to see more interest from the Government into the state of the city centre. From the car park to the streets, the increase of antisocial behaviour is out of control.
“The old entries are used by some businesses as a back alley to store their bins.
“Drug addicts are ‘shooting themselves up’, leaving human waste and needles around, and drunk people are often found lying about and exposing themselves to passers-by in the mornings.
“An implementation of lights and urban infrastructure to make the city more vibrant at night would help to have a safer environment for the many tourists, locals and potential customers that walk those streets.
“It would also be nice to see some investment in the old beautiful entries of Belfast, in the way other cities do.”
Compiled by Liam Tunney, Brett Campbell, Niamh Campbell and Kurtis Reid
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