Equality for Children, Irish Gay Dads and LGBT Ireland are calling on the Irish Government to immediately amend  and commence the AHR Act, as was promised by their predecessors, and to immediately commence the CFRA (2015) section of the AHR Act, to ensure that all children born through Assisted and Donor Reproduction to LGBTQ+ families in Ireland, have a pathway to a legal connection with both of their parents. “We urge you to sign our petition in order to push the Irish government to take the actions our children so desperately need.” Ranae von Meding, CEO of Equality for Children says, “Thousands of children in Ireland, including my youngest child, are denied legal parent-child relationship with both of their parents. This includes children born to gay dads through surrogacy, children conceived outside of clinical settings and children conceived or born outside of Ireland. As we celebrate 10 years of Marriage Equality, we cannot help but reflect on the fact that we have not truly achieved equality until children born into same-sex marriages in Ireland are afforded the same protections as children born into all other marriages in Ireland." “This must change. It’s not equal and it’s not what we voted for.” Seamus Kearney Martone, Chairperson of Irish Gay Dads says, "As we approach the 10-year anniversary of the marriage equality referendum, we celebrate how far Ireland has come—but we also recognize the work that remains. For gay dads in Ireland, the journey to parenthood is still filled with legal and practical barriers. We urge the government to amend and commence the Assisted Human Reproduction legislation without further delay. We’ve had positive discussions with the Departments of Health, Justice, and Children, and now that a new government has been formed we are committed to continuing these conversations to ensure that the voices of gay dads are heard and included in shaping this legislation. " "Equality must extend to all families, and now is the time to make that a reality."

My brother Adam Loughnane passed away last month. His body was found in the Corrib on the afternoon of Tuesday the 11th of February 2025. What has haunted my family every day since his passing is the fact that just two hours before he was found in the river, he was in the A&E waiting room of University Hospital Galway presenting as suicidal.  He'd woken up that morning feeling numb. He'd contacted his mental health support worker and they made the decision to contact UHG. He packed an overnight bag in the belief he was going to be at the hospital for a few days. He believed they'd look after him. They told him to go through A&E. He'd been a patient at the mental health unit of UHG before. This was never referenced.  On arriving at the hospital, he told staff numerous times that he wanted to enter the river. They triaged him and told him to sit and wait. A woman with her own mental health issues saw him crying and in visible distress. She hugged him and they cried together. He approached another nurse but was asked to wait again. He hugged the woman who had been sitting with him, picked up his bag, and left the hospital. He wasn't being monitored. Within half an hour he was in the water.  At 6pm that evening while out putting up posters of my missing cat, I received a call from my mother. She was hysterical, I couldn't understand her. A Guard took the phone and told me that my brother had been found in the river. I lost the ability to speak for a minute. Eventually I told the Guard I'd be over shortly. Half an hour later I was standing next to my mum and youngest brother identifying Adam, who was laid out in the same A&E he'd been in hours earlier. Only this time he was no longer breathing.  Adam did everything right. He reached out to the mental health services and told them exactly how he was feeling. But the broken healthcare system let down yet another person at their most vulnerable.  Tara Coyne. Jamie Costello. Josephine Cloonan. And now Adam Loughnane. These are just the cases where the family went public or where an action for negligence was taken against the hospital. There are undoubtedly many, many more.  How many more people have to die before a decision is made - at the top of the HSE and the Government - to fundamentally change how people who present as suicidal are treated?  This isn't any one staff member's fault. I've lost my brother to a system which is under-staffed, under-paid, and overworked.  We refuse to let his passing be in vain. No family should ever have to experience what we are currently living through. We want Adam to be the change needed to make the Irish healthcare system a safe place for those in their darkest hours. 

The National Animal Rights Association and Animal Rebellion Ireland released a new investigation on pig farms, covering 4 farms based in Cavan. The findings were horrific - watch the investigation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xHFCYxR9pE Sow stalls, farrowing crates, filthy conditions, stereotypical behaviour, no outdoor space, no sunlight, sick and dying pigs. There is no end to the depraved nature of this agricultural sector.  THE FACTS: There are approximately 250 commercial pig farms in Ireland, and annually an average of 3-3.5 million pigs are slaughtered here every year. Though the use of sow stalls has been banned in some countries, it is permitted in Ireland for up to 4 weeks of pregnancy. Usually about a week before giving birth, sows are put in to farrowing crates, where they are kept then until their piglets are about 4 weeks old. The piglets are then taken away from their mothers, and put in to fattening pens, even though naturally they would still be suckling from their mothers up until about 3 months old. Depending on their weight, they are then slaughtered at about 5-6 months of age, though their natural lifespan would be on average about 20 years. Pigs are stunned using CO2 gas, which aims to render them unconscious. Consumers are led to believe that gassing is a humane way to kill pigs, and that they simply drift off to sleep, however undercover footage triggered national outrage in Australia in 2023 when activists exposed the reality of slaughtering using CO2 gas, with video footage revealing pigs thrashing, writhing, gasping and screaming as they slowly lose consciousness, in contradiction to industry claims of a “humane slaughter”. After this frightening and painful experience, they are then bled out to death. The majority of pigs in Ireland spend their entire lives indoors, with no comfortable bedding, fresh air or sunlight. Currently, it is a legal requirement that pigs are provided with 8 hours of artificial light a day. “Enrichment”, a form of mental stimulation, is also a legal requirement. According to Teagasc, the most common form of enrichment used in Ireland is simply a metal chain. Although tail docking is banned within the EU, farmers are allowed to do it if they deem it “necessary” – and as a result, it is still commonly done here. Like fur farming, pig farming can never be legislated into being acceptable. Animals are not ours to use, abuse, kill or eat - it's time to ban pig farming now!

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has faced one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises for decades. Beginning with the First Congo War in 1996 and the devastating Second Congo War in 1998, over 10 million people have lost their lives, with millions more displaced, suffering from hunger, and enduring human rights violations. As a nation committed to peace, democracy, and human rights, Ireland has a moral responsibility to act in solidarity with the people of the DRC.  The DRC is facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with: • Over 6 million people displaced due to ongoing violence. • Widespread human rights violations, including massacres and sexual violence. • Severe food insecurity, affecting millions, including children. • The exploitation of minerals (diamond, cassiterite, copper, cobalt, and coltan ) funding armed groups and fuelling conflict. Ireland’s Historic Connection to the DRC Ireland has a long-standing connection with the DRC: • Roger Casement exposed the atrocities of King Leopold II’s colonial rule. • Irish peacekeepers served in the 1960s as part of the UN mission, including the historic Siege of Jadotville. Given this history, Ireland must stand for justice and act now. We Urge the Irish Government to: 1. Publicly condemn human rights abuses and call for accountability. 2. Increase humanitarian aid to support displaced people and communities. 3. Advocate at the EU and UN for stronger sanctions on those funding violence. Ensure ethical trade practices, preventing Irish companies from sourcing conflict minerals. Sign This Petition to Show Your Support! You're sincerely, Concerned Citizens Ireland  Mamy Nzema Nkoy  Victoria Musitongo  Benedicte Luzemba  Julia Ngadi 

Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) play a vital part in the lives of pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The current lack of centralised Garda Vetting makes it very hard for SNAs to work in schools, as at the minute they have to vetted for every single school they might want to work in. This means that schools can often struggle to get a substitute SNA since the SNA is not vetted for their school (even if they are vetted for the exact same role in other schools), resulting in pupils missing out on important educational supports. If other professionals can have centralised vetting, like how teachers have universal vetting through The Teaching Council, why can SNAs not have the same option? Centralised vetting would also help to reduce the amount of time and resources that school management members would have to spend preparing SNA vetting paperwork for SNA staff. Even if a nationwide organisation was set up to manage the centralised vetting of SNAs, most SNAs would appreciate being part of a group where they can connect with other likeminded SNAs and peers. The role of an SNA is often misunderstood and overly simplified by people, so it would be a nice acknowledgement of the importance of their everyday work with SEND pupils. Thank you for taking the time to read this, hopefully it will result in the introduction of centralised Garda Vetting for SNAs in the near future! Amy Reynolds *I am a qualified Special Needs Assistant (SNA), Teaching Assistant (TA) and Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) teacher. I am passionate about education, particularly inclusive education, and the benefits it brings, especially for pupils with SEND. I myself have struggled to get opportunities to work as an SNA (even as a substitute) as my vetting for other settings would not cover me for that particular school. I now work in pharmacy and am completing an apprenticeship pharmacy technician style course. I would like my future work to combine education and pharmacy / healthcare*

The government is talking about charging people for what they call "excessive" water usage – but we all know that this will open the door for more water charges down the line. We all deserve access to clean, good quality water. Charging people for water will only create more inequality and will push families into poverty.

We have been informed that both Buncrana and Letterkenny Fire Services are facing a drastic reduction in resources. This includes the removal of our second fire engine, a significant cut in crew numbers, and, in the case of Letterkenny, the loss of the vital water tanker and incident command vehicle. These resources are essential for effectively responding to emergencies and ensuring the safety of both the public and our firefighters. The decision to implement these cuts has been presented to us as a fait accompli, with management stating that the changes will proceed regardless of our concerns. We were told, "if you don't like it, take us to court." This dictatorial approach is deeply disrespectful and undermines the vital role we play in protecting our community. We are particularly troubled by the justification given for these cuts. We are being told that these reductions are a consequence of firefighters seeking a better work-life balance. While we firmly believe in the importance of work-life balance for all workers, including firefighters, we refuse to accept that the safety of our community should be compromised as a result. It is unconscionable to punish firefighters for seeking reasonable working conditions, and, more importantly, to punish the public by diminishing the emergency services they rely upon. These cuts will have a devastating impact. Fewer firefighters and fewer resources mean slower response times, increased risk to both firefighters and the public, and a diminished ability to effectively handle complex emergencies. The loss of the water tanker in Letterkenny, for example, will severely hamper our ability to fight fires, especially in areas with limited water supply.

Every year, thousands of women in Ireland undergo mammograms through BreastCheck, trusting the results they receive. But for the 43% of these women with dense breasts, a "clear" mammogram does not necessarily mean they are cancer-free. • Up to 50% of cancers in dense breasts go undetected on mammograms because both cancer and dense tissue appear white, making tumours almost impossible to see. As a result, 1 in every 2 Irish women with dense breasts may have their cancer missed. • Women with dense breasts are 4-6 times more likely to develop breast cancer than those with lower density. • Breast density is a stronger risk factor than having a family history of breast cancer, yet women in Ireland are not informed about it. • Breast density can only be detected via a mammogram - it is not something a woman can feel. • Despite the serious implications of breast density, Ireland does not inform women whether they have non-dense or dense breasts. This leaves many unaware of their potential increased risk and the need for additional screening, such as ultrasound or MRI. Other countries, including the United States, Canada, France, and Australia, already notify women of their breast density, ensuring they have the information they need to advocate for their health. Irish women deserve the same. Breast density is categorised into four groups: • A (Mostly Fatty) and B (Scattered Fibroglandular Tissue): These are considered non-dense breasts, where cancer is generally easier to detect on a mammogram. • C (Heterogeneously Dense) and D (Extremely Dense): These are classified as dense breasts, which can make it harder to detect cancer, and also increase the risk of developing it. Women deserve to be informed whether they have dense or non-dense breasts so they can seek appropriate screening if needed. A major European study (D.E.N.S.E. Trial, Netherlands) has led to new EUSOBI (European Society of Breast Imaging) recommendations, stating: • All women should be informed of their breast density • Women with extremely dense breasts should receive additional screening with MRI 👉 Read the study: EUSOBI Recommendations This is a global issue, but Ireland has the opportunity to take the lead. We need to demand transparency and better screening for all women. 📖 Learn More About Breast Density To read more about why breast density matters and how it affects breast cancer detection, please read this in-depth piece on Her.ie that explores the science, the risks, and the urgent need for policy change. Read it here. A Call to the National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) We also call on the National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) to urgently evaluate the inclusion of breast density reporting within Ireland's BreastCheck program. Currently, BreastCheck does not collect or report breast density information, leaving many women unaware of the risks associated with dense breast tissue. It’s crucial that NSAC acknowledges the need for change and works toward a systematic notification protocol for breast density. By doing so, the NSAC can help ensure that women with dense breasts are informed about their density and offered additional screening, such as MRI or ultrasound, in line with international recommendations from the European Society of Breast Imaging (EUSOBI). This step will allow women to make informed decisions about their health and reduce the risk of undetected cancers. My Personal Story I know firsthand how devastating this lack of information can be. My amazing mum, Marian Lovett, always attended her routine BreastCheck screenings and was given a clear result in 2022. She had no reason to worry, but just a year later, she was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer- a terminal diagnosis. She later learned that her dense breast tissue likely masked the tumour on her mammogram, meaning her cancer could have been missed in previous scans. She was never informed about her breast density, never advised to seek additional screening, and never given the chance to detect her cancer earlier. My mother passed away in August 2024, taken far too soon. She was deeply frustrated that this critical information had been withheld from her, and she wasn’t alone - so many women have faced the same devastating reality. That’s why I am fighting for change on her behalf. 📖 Read More About My Mum’s Story I share my mum’s story in an article on Her.ie, highlighting how a lack of breast density notification contributed to her late-stage diagnosis. Read it here. A Collaborative Effort for Change This petition is launched in collaboration with Siobhán Freeney, a dedicated patient advocate and founder of BeingDense.com, Ireland’s leading resource on breast density awareness. Siobhán has tirelessly campaigned for transparency in breast screening after her own cancer was missed due to extremely dense breasts - something she was never informed about. Her experience, like my mother’s and so many others, has driven her to fight for mandatory breast density notification so women can access essential screenings before it’s too late. Through BeingDense, Siobhán has worked to educate women, raise awareness among healthcare professionals, and push for policy change at the highest levels. While this petition focuses on improving breast screening policy in Ireland, it is also part of a global movement to ensure better breast cancer detection and prevention. Siobhán has also launched her own petition on Change.org, calling for similar action. By signing both petitions, you can strengthen the case for change and help ensure that all women receive the information they need. 👉 Sign Siobhán’s Petition Here Women in Ireland deserve access to all the information about their own health - just as women in other countries already receive. Join us in demanding that Ireland finally listens. Sign our petition now to help ensure no more women are left in the dark about their breast health.

It was promised in the Budget to be rolled out in January 2025. It supports a struggling demographic ie Peri-menopausal and menopausal women. HRT can enable women going through menopause to manage symptoms such as increased anxiety, depression, hot flushes, mesophonia, panic attacks, insomnia etc. (there are at least 35 symptoms), thereby ensuring women can live a more productive and fulfilling life and maintain good relationships. HRT is also heart and bone loss protective. It supports working single women who receive very little tax benefits compared to those that are married and or are mothers through no fault of their own. As per Irish Independent 2020 single people pay up to seven times more tax throughout their working life times and that has now increased due to the tax increases that targets single people inheriting property in new Inheritance Tax laws in 2024. 

The current meter placement has resulted in inaccurate consumption data resulting in inflated bills. Under Directive 2023/1791 (EU Energy Efficiency Directive, all heat metering must be accurate and based on actual consumption – Consumers must only be billed for their own apartment’s heating, not for common areas or system heat losses.

The closure of The Wombles at this location will not only leave children without crucial early learning opportunities but will also place an immense strain on working parents who depend on after-school care. Many of us have built our work schedules around this service, knowing our children are in a safe, familiar, and supportive environment. The impact extends beyond our families, affecting six dedicated early years educators who may lose their jobs. Early years education plays a vital role in identifying children who may need additional support or early intervention, and The Wombles has been instrumental in ensuring children receive the help they need from an early age. Over the past decade, they have provided Level 7 support for children who have gone on to thrive in school. We urge you to find a solution that does not leave 98 children without care and education. Our families need your immediate attention to this matter.

The Triple Lock is an integral part of Ireland's neutrality and Foreign Policy. Removing the Triple Lock is an attack on our neutrality. This change opens the door to Irish troops being seconded to NATO and EU missions, with almost free-range given to the government of the day. The Triple Lock means Irish Defence Forces troops are only deployed on UN-mandated missions. A UN mandate gives legitimacy to peacekeeping missions which will be impossible to replace. The blue beret, that Irish troops have always worn, also offers them a huge level of protection. There is currently an attack on the UN with Elon Musk recently stating the United States should leave the institution. The proposed plans from the government are a further undermining of the UN at a time of increasing militarisation. So what? This is a fundamental change in Ireland's stance on neutrality - so we believe it should be put to the people in a national plebiscite. Every citizen in Ireland deserves to have a direct say on whether the Government should make this change. We recognise the importance of democratic consultation in shaping Ireland's future foreign policy, which is why we believe the only truly democratic option is a direct vote through a vote by the people on the whether Ireland should retain the Triple Lock.