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Michael McDowell campaign diary

"In recent times I have travelled all around Ireland both in my capacity as Justice Minister and as the leader of the Progressive Democrats. It's a privilege to meet people, young and old in every sector, from business people to students, from farmers to workers; both Irish and from overseas.

Not surprisingly I often get a chance to visit schools and colleges and I spend time with the students listening to their questions and making some points to them as well. It's an interesting challenge because many young people have been living amid the fruits of the Celtic Tiger for so long that they are unaware of what came before.

One of the central points that I try to get across is the massive transformation that Ireland has undergone during the course of their lifetime. When the Progressive Democrats were formed Ireland was virtually an economic wasteland.

And one of the ways I try to convey that is to invite students to realise that back in the mid eighties if you looked around any classroom or any lecture hall almost anywhere in Ireland, you could divide the students into two equal groups. The first half were the ones who would manage to remain in Ireland and get work and the second half were the ones who would be forced to emigrate to seek out career opportunities.

It was a dreadful reality. Half of our young people, the very essence of the future energy of our country were forced to leave home, leave their families, leave their friends, simply to find the kind of work that suited their talents or allowed them to survive.

Perhaps the achievement of which I am most proud, is to have been one of the founders of a political party that was the driving force behind the changes in Ireland that have made that reality a thing of the past.

Now Ireland has the lowest unemployment in Europe and all our young people can build fruitful prosperous lives at home. That transformation was not produced with a magic wand. Rather it was with the development of a range of political action, perhaps chief amongst them the adoption of the PD low taxation strategy.

But never forget Ireland's economic success, which has generated so much social benefit for our citizens, cannot be taken for granted. It must be carefully maintained and fostered. No one has a greater stake in this success than our young people.

I would encourage young people to take a full part in the coming election. Don't make the assumption that things stay the same no matter what the outcome. If you want a prosperous future you should vote for the parties that you believe will put the success of this country at the heart of their priorities.

The Progressive Democrats are passionate about Ireland's future potential. We have been part of the process that has brought Ireland 'from bad to good'. We are committed to being part of the process that brings Ireland 'from good to great'. Why not join us in that excellent enterprise."