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Stop the Silence: Protect Asylum Seekers from Failing Legal Representation in Ireland"In Ireland today, people who have survived war, torture, and persecution are being let down by the very legal system that is supposed to protect them. We are not talking about paperwork delays or administrative inconvenience. We are talking about people whose lives — and whose children's lives — depend entirely on what happens in their legal proceedings. And in too many cases, those proceedings are being handled in a way that falls far short of what any decent standard of justice requires. At Emerald Welcome Centre, we have walked alongside these families. We have seen things that keep us awake at night. We have seen a mother handed a signature page and told to sign — without ever being shown the appeal document lodged in her name. She did not know what story had been told on her behalf. It was not her story. We have seen a man arrive at his International Protection hearing — the most important moment of his entire journey through this system — having had no contact with his solicitor in the weeks beforehand. No preparation. No briefing. No one in his corner. He walked into that room alone. We have seen families wait in silence for weeks, calling and texting a solicitor who did not respond, not knowing whether they still had legal representation, not knowing whether their hearing was still scheduled, living in a state of unbearable uncertainty that no human being should be asked to endure. These are not edge cases. This is a pattern. And it is happening to some of the most vulnerable people in Ireland — people who do not have the power, the language, or the legal knowledge to challenge it themselves. This is why we need you. Not because you are a lawyer. Not because you are an expert in asylum law. But because you are a person who believes that fairness matters. That every human being — regardless of where they were born or what passport they carry — deserves to be treated with dignity when they stand before the Irish legal system. Ireland has a proud tradition of solidarity. We are a nation that remembers what it meant to be the emigrant, the stranger, the one who needed another country's kindness to survive. That memory is not just history. It is a call to action. When you sign this petition, you are telling the Irish Government: we are watching, we care, and we expect better. You are giving a voice to people who cannot safely speak for themselves right now — because they are still inside the system, still waiting, still hoping that Ireland will be everything it promises to be. Please sign. Please share. And please know that your name on this petition is not a small thing. It is an act of solidarity with some of the bravest people in this country.13 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Akinbola Idowu Olusoji Sanuade
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Support An Taisce’s objection, Prevent the data centre on Premier Periclase in DroghedaA proposed Datacenter bid on the Premier Periclase in Drogheda site faces a bid by Ireland’s National Trust An Taisce to block the development. While many Louth County Councillors in Drogheda have labeled An Taisce’s bid as “reckless and irresponsible”, People Before Profit stands with their complaint. An Taisce’s objection was noted to span a variety of concerns including the vast energy consumption of data centers, potential carbon emissions, potential impact on constrained local water supplies. Electricity prices in the Republic of Ireland are over 60% above the EU average, making our bills some of the highest in the world. Because of heavy subsidisation which falls back on the taxpayer, households in Ireland are paying almost twice as much for their electricity as data centres themselves. At the same time as costs go through the roof, data centres are consuming more and more of our grid capacity, with approximately 22% of overall energy spent on data centres in 2024. This figure is constantly rising, and is expected to rise to more than 30% before the end of the decade, where the grid will struggle to meet demands. This means that emissions ‘reductions’ through new renewable energy infrastructure are cancelled out by increased demand. During a heightened cost of energy crisis, the government’s weak measure reductions are not enough. A few cents off fuel isn’t enough. We need price controls on fuel, energy, basic groceries, plus a €500 energy credit to put money back in people’s pockets. While an increase of data centres and a decrease in day-to-day affordability are clearly interconnected, such rapid changes will impact working people in more ways than living costs alone. The AI software that data centres power will inevitably create unemployment by outsourcing labour to emergent machinery. For local Sinn Féin and Labour councillors, who claim to be parties of the left opposition, to support a development that will directly contribute to both the affordability crisis and climate crisis suggests a lack of political direction at a time when we need it most. The Irish government, Labour and Sinn Féin know this, yet they are encouraging us to quietly accept the inevitable harms they'll cause to working people. There is no discussion anywhere with ordinary people about shaping and directing this technology, in keeping with a project of green transition, for the betterment of society. The government’s designation of parts of the River Boyne as ‘heavily modified’ could allow a proposed data centre to harm the river’s water quality, raising concerns that potential environmental impacts may not be properly assessed or managed. The Irish people will suffer from the proliferation of data centers, while the rich will profit from them. Local councillors endorsing the proposed Datacenter bid on the Premier Periclase site is short-term opportunism at best. It will provide no answer to the current crises we're facing, and in the long-term, will make things worse. Another data centre is another cost onto the ordinary person! We demand: • Levy existing data centres to fund a €500 energy credit for households • Price controls on fuel,energy and basic groceries • Moratorium on new data centres93 of 100 SignaturesCreated by James Renaghan
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Standardise wind-farm community benefit and near neighbour schemesAs it stands there seems to be no set standard for community benefit schemes and near Neighbour payments that relate to wind farms across the country. A prime example is SSE's "Yellow River Wind Farm" in North Offaly. Unlike many of the wind-farms within the county, SSE are only paying people who live within one Kilometer of a wind turbine. In contrast, BnM who plan to create a new wind-farm on the old Bord Na Mona Site, close to the yellow River wind farm, will be paying out a near neighbour payment to people up to two kilometers from their turbines. It is clear that there is a massive need for more renewable energy within the country, no matter who we are or where we are from, we all deserve access to clean air and clean energy. At the same time we all should be able to enjoy the properties that we live in and be fairly compensated when that enjoyment is impacted. As someone who lives exactly one kilometer from the Yellow river wind farm, i can confirm that on certain nights the noise from the turbines can get quiet loud and does take away from the enjoyment of my home. I was shocked when the representatives of the wind-farm came around to inform us of the near neibhour payments and seem to make light about how i was just inside the one kilometer boundary. I noted that my neighbours who were literally a meter outside of the radius are just as impacted as i am, but was told that their radius is rigid and it would be possible to get them included. In terms of the community benefit funds, the amounts are linked to Kilowat of electricity produced and the not the revenue or profit generated by the wind-farm. This means that as the profit from the wind-farm increases, there will be no increase to the community fund. We the undersigned are calling on Daragh O'Brien to standardise the payments across the board, to ensure that everyone within two kilometers of a turbine is sufficiently compensated and that the community benefit fund is linked to revenue created.1 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Ross McGann
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Unquenchable Thirst: OpenAI's Drinking Water Usage and How Trinity Can HelpThe environmental impact of using generative AI is incomprehensible to the general public. In 2025 alone, the data centers used to run OpenAI tools were responsible for 32.6 - 79.7 million tonnes of CO2 emissions. According to OpenAI engineers, clean drinking water must be used to cool the data servers in order to prevent "mineral build-up" in the cooling systems. Data centers are literally using one of humanity's most precious and scarce resources to cool their servers, and it is dwindling by the day. OpenAI's projected water usage could hit 6.6 billion m³ by 2027, which is equivalent to 13.2 billion 500ml water bottles. Although this issue seems out of our hands, students can do their part by helping ban ChatGPT from the Trinity College Dublin Wi-Fi. ChatGPT is the most widely-used generative AI model, thus, blocking access would drastically reduce students' contribution to this ever growing problem. You can help do your part by signing our petition!135 of 200 SignaturesCreated by Ella Flynn
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Stop large corporations harvesting huge forests of seaweed from the west coastThere should be a public consultation on this plan opening soon but lets gather signatures to demonstrate the fact that up and down the west coast, thousands of people don't want our seaweed rights given away to corporations.20,632 of 25,000 Signatures
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Let’s chill the worldTo address climate change and its devastating effects. Climate change causes widespread, rapid, and intensifying impacts, including extreme weather (heatwaves, droughts, floods), rising sea levels, ocean acidification, and severe biodiversity loss. These changes disrupt ecosystems, threaten human health, destroy infrastructure, and endanger food supplies, with significant risks to coastal communities and vulnerable populations.16 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Rachel Farrell
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Take X icons off websites and emails ! And replace with Mastodon icons !Why leave and de-platform toxic and lock-in social media (such as X, Instagram, Snapchat, Tiktok) ? Black Box Algorithms: Lock-in platforms aim to show you more content that their owners like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and their paymasters want you to see, and less content that you want to see…. https://xodus.online/why#algorithms Rise of the far-right: Toxic platforms promote hate, the far-right, and interfere in elections…. https://xodus.online/why#democracy Disinformation: Toxic platforms do not support adequate fact-checking or moderation…. https://xodus.online/why#disinformation Over-consumption: Advertising-profit-platforms promote consumption patterns which are unhealthy for people and planet…. https://xodus.online/why#consumerism139 of 200 SignaturesCreated by Elaine Baker
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Newpark estate - No to developers taking our green spaceJoin our campaign to ensure FCC decline planning permission on the following basis : 1. Resident safety – o increased car traffic and reduced greenspace: ▪ With nearly 90 residential units , the majority who are families with young children in the estate, the existing recreational greenspace of Newpark estate will be heavily and negatively impacted by the proposed development . Our existing greenspace is a very busy and much needed space. The proposed development would reduce greenspace and would affect the safety of the existing cycle way that leads directly from the Newpark estate playground area– see maps below . The proposed new road access to Newpark Grove would effectively cut across our walk/cycleway and therefore remove the existing safety of this route from the playground and is very close to a corner therefore creating a serious safety risk from children cycling or scooting on their return from Newpark playground and green space . There is already direct access from the Manor house site onto Newpark drive , the council should not approve the taking of much needed greenspace and cycleways from residents to create new roads when they are not necessary. o Impacts proposed cycleways. ▪ As part of the Kinsealy area development plan, and following the conclusion of a successful public consultation – link the preferred walk/cycleway to Portmarnock train station will commence adjacent to where the planning permission is proposing to create access into Newpark Grove i.e. this planning permission request proposes a new road that goes across a cycleway that serves as a vital continuous connection into a very strategic proposed longer cycleway that will run to Portmarnock train station. This preferred route through Newpark to Portmarnock will be a strategic development in the coming years for the entire Kinsealy area and it is expected high volume cycling and pedestrian traffic will use this route to access the dart station, therefore it makes no sense to now put a new road directly across this route just to satisfy the financial gain of a developer to the detriment of residents and Kinsealy area safety. ▪ Kinsealy residents have been campaigning for many years now and have been in regular contact with Fingal County council to INCREASE our walk/cycleways, this proposed development TAKES AWAY from the very limited ones we already have. 2. Harm to character of the greenspace: o The Kinsealy manor house is an important and historical feature in the area, and this was one of the reasons previous planning permissions were refused. Accordingly, now building 3 modern MEWS houses directly on the site of this impressive building will impact the character of the protected structure. 3. Overdevelopment of already high-density estate: o Newpark estate is already high density at nearly 90 residential units, adding three more Mews type units is over development and unnecessary. 3 Mews type units does not align to housing shortage argumentation for this area or more generally, it is purely to satisfy the financial gain of the developers and not in the interest of residents. o Chapel road is now at bursting point in terms of houses vs public infrastructure ratio. There are no buses running down chapel road, no safe access to Dart station, no other way to get to Supermarkets than drive. Chapel road needs capital infrastructure investment by Fingal County Council NOT more residential units that eat our greenspace and create more safety risk for our children. o The proposed development proposes 1 parking space per unit. Kinsealy area is an area lacking significant structural development with no bus routes, no current access to Dart station, no pathway or cycleway to supermarkets. 1 parking space is not sufficient for each house as so it is likely these units would have parking shortages and be forced to park on Newpark estate roads thus causing blockages for emergency vehicles, impacting ability of children to see cars coming, frustrating existing residents with additional cars parked up on roads that are now free of such parking because houses in Newpark were planned properly with 2 spaces . 4. Environmental impact – loss of existing trees, further additional development in this area of the estate is not recommended given the high level of development in the past few years. This part of the estate should be preserved for nature and existing protected structures both to the benefit of the environment and resident wellbeing. 5. Overlooking residential playground resulting in privacy and wellbeing concerns for residents – overbearing development of MEWs housing proposed to be almost directly on top of children playground and recreational space.83 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Sharon Finn
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Solution not Pollution - Real Time Sewage Discharge MonitoringIreland Needs Real-Time Reporting of Sewer Discharges - Just Like the UK Across Ireland, rivers, lakes, estuaries, bathing and coastal waters are being polluted by regular storm overflows and sewer discharges, yet the public has no way to see when or where these events occur. Unlike the UK, Ireland has no national, real-time monitoring system to tell communities when their local waters are contaminated. Under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations and Directives, Uisce Éireann and sanitary authorities are already legally required to monitor wastewater discharges and assess their impacts on receiving waters. But many overflows have no monitors or are not up to code. Without transparent, real-time reporting, these obligations are not meaningfully met, and the public remains unaware of pollution events happening in their own communities. Why This Matters • We can’t plan future wastewater capacity without accurate overflow data. Ireland cannot model infrastructure needs or comply with the Water Framework Directive if it does not quantify the true scale and frequency of sewer overflows. Real-time and historical data on CSOs are essential for evidence-based planning, upgrading the network, and preventing future pollution crises. • Public health and the environment are at risk. Untreated storm overflows often contain sewage, agricultural runoff, chemicals, and pathogens. They threaten bathing waters, drinking-water sources, shellfish areas, fisheries, wildlife, and recreation. • The technology already exists. The UK’s publicly accessible monitoring platforms — such as the National Storm Overflow Hub — show that real-time reporting is fully achievable and enormously beneficial for communities. see: https://www.streamwaterdata.co.uk/pages/the-national-storm-overflow-hub • Transparency builds trust. Citizens deserve to know when their local waters are unsafe. Real-time data empowers swimmers, anglers, families, fishers, environmental groups, and local authorities to make informed decisions. We, the undersigned, call on Uisce Éireann and the Irish Government to: 1. Fully comply with statutory obligations Ensure comprehensive monitoring of all wastewater discharges, including storm overflows and combined sewer overflows, as required under Irish and EU law. 2. Create a national, public, real-time reporting system Build an open-access online platform (like the UK system) showing: • when and where overflows occur, • their duration and estimated volumes, and • the type of discharge (untreated, partially treated, stormwater, etc.). 3. Use this data to plan for future capacity Commit to using real, measured overflow data to identify system weaknesses, inform capital investment, and meet long-term obligations under the Water Framework Directive and climate-resilience planning. 4. Protect our rivers, lakes, and coasts Reduce harmful discharges and ensure the public can see in real time when pollution events occur. Ireland deserves clean water, transparent reporting, and evidence-based planning. We urge Uisce Éireann and the Irish Government to act now.93 of 100 SignaturesCreated by sabrina Joyce Kemper
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Bring in National Safety, Odour, and Environmental Regulations for Biogas AD Plants in IrelandAnaerobic digestion (AD) and biogas can play a positive role in Ireland’s renewable energy transition — but only when properly regulated. Unfortunately, Ireland currently lacks the basic national standards that other EU countries already require. As a result, AD plants are being proposed far too close to homes, private wells, schools, farms, rivers, Natura sites, and even busy motorways. Local authorities have no consistent guidance, and communities are left exposed to unnecessary health, safety and environmental risks. The Problem 1. No minimum setback distances Ireland has no national separation distances between AD plants and: • homes • drinking-water wells • schools • roads and motorways • protected habitats Other countries use 300–500m as standard — Ireland uses none. 2. No national odour standards Odour from digesters, waste reception, and digestate tanks can travel long distances depending on wind and elevation. Ireland has: • no odour regulations • no odour-modelling requirement • no mandatory odour-abatement technology Communities near existing plants frequently report persistent nuisance. 3. Risks to private wells and groundwater Many homes rely on private wells. AD sites store large quantities of slurry, digestate, industrial food waste, and fats/oils/grease. A spill or leak can contaminate groundwater. Ireland has no minimum distance from wells and no hydrological protection rules. 4. Proximity to motorways and road-safety concerns AD plants store methane, biogas and large waste volumes. Without national TII guidance, sites can be placed only metres from national roads and motorways — raising concerns about: • tanker traffic • vehicle fires • collision risks • gas leaks • spill containment This is a major planning gap. 5. Industrial waste accepted with little oversight Many AD plants take: • offal • dairy processing waste • food-industry by-products • fats, oils, grease (FOG) • expired packaged food These greatly increase odour, emissions, and risk. Ireland has no national limits, no composition standards, and weak monitoring. WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR We call on the Minister for the Environment, the EPA, TII, and the Department of Housing to create national AD biogas regulations, including: ✔️ Minimum 500m setback distance From homes, schools, and private wells, unless independent scientific assessment proves otherwise. ✔️ National odour limits With mandatory odour-modelling, abatement systems, and compliance monitoring. ✔️ Groundwater and well protection Hydrological assessments, protected zones, and strict containment standards. ✔️ Rules for industrial waste Clear permitted-waste lists, composition limits, and independent monitoring. ✔️ Road-safety guidelines National TII rules for AD plants near major roads and motorways. ✔️ A full national AD planning framework Like those already existing for windfarms, quarries, and intensive agriculture — ensuring safety, consistency, and transparency. ⸻ WHY THIS MATTERS Ireland needs renewable energy — but we also need safe, responsible, and properly regulated development. Right now, communities across Ireland are being forced to fight these issues one planning application at a time, without the protection of national rules. A clear regulatory framework would protect: • public health • groundwater and private wells • road safety • rural communities • local wildlife and habitats • quality of life We urgently need the Government to act. CALL TO ACTION Sign now to demand strong national regulations for biogas AD plants — to keep our homes, water, and communities safe.362 of 400 SignaturesCreated by Adrian Darcy
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Improve accessibility ClonlaraOThe Clonlara residing along the R463 would like to request the support of all residents of Clonlara for the following reasons: • Improved accessibility for those of us at these addresses means more economic activity in Clonlara village. • It would allow us to access bars and restaurants. It would also create a higher footfall for the village shop which has now closed twice previously due to this challenge. It would increase bus service user numbers thus ensuring the service is not cancelled and more bus services may be added. • It would reduce traffic at Clonlara bridge as many would choose to walk and cycle such a short distance rather than sit on the bridge in traffic. • It would bring members from your community who are currently not spending time in the village due to a lack of accessibility across the bridge and create a more unified community. We would also like to request the support of those who have accessibility concerns for relatives living in the area. We thank you all for your support on this matter. **Petition update* On 12.10.2025 this petition was submitted to Clare Coco, Cathal Crowe TD, elected members of Shannon municipal district, Clare ag friendly programme, Rural and Community Development Officer Conor Leyden371 of 400 SignaturesCreated by Kellieann O'Brien
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Protect Cherrywood Families from Ticknick Fire SmokeHealth risks backed by science • Multiple Studies have found that even short-term exposure to PM2.5 smoke particles increases hospital admissions for heart, lung, and neurological conditions. (Links to studies: [1][2]) • Studies show wildfire smoke can raise mortality rates in vulnerable groups (children, the elderly, people with asthma, and heart disease). [Links to studies: [3], [4]] • These pollutants travel long distances — you don’t need to live in Cherrywood to be at risk. Smoke is more toxic than normal air pollution • Gorse/wildfire smoke isn’t just particles — it contains toxic gases like benzene, formaldehyde, and acrolein. • These VOCs are linked to respiratory disease, cancer risk, and neurological problems — and they’re invisible, often undetectable by smell. • For VOCs such as formaldehyde and benzene, WHO recognises that there is no safe threshold indoors, further underlining the health risk of the current smoke exposure. Children are the most vulnerable • Kids breathe faster and inhale more pollutants per body weight. • In Cherrywood, a primary school sits right below Ticknick Park, directly in the path of the smoke. • Protecting them here sets a precedent for protecting children everywhere. It’s not just Cherrywood — it’s Ireland’s future • With warmer, drier summers, gorse fires will keep recurring across Ireland. • If we don’t act now, other towns will face the same repeated exposure, with no monitoring or guidance. • The current response is limited to carrying out controlled burning or "hoping for the rain" — but neither of these protect Cherrywood families from repeated exposure to toxic smoke. A precedent for national action • By supporting Cherrywood, you’re pushing Ireland to adopt stronger protections — including, but not limited by efficient fire response, local monitoring, proactive land management, timely community guidance and access to HEPA + carbon filters. • Wildfire smoke has been recognised internationally (e.g. by the US CDC and European Environment Agency) as a significant public health hazard due to fine particles and VOCs. • This campaign can set the standard for how Irish authorities respond to all future smoke events. *In this context, ‘Ticknick’ refers to the adjoining lands located beside Ticknick Park and the community playfields. ** Have you been affected? Please take 2 minutes to fill out this short survey: https://forms.gle/cUtUWMZA2Zamr39UA400 of 500 SignaturesCreated by Angelika Korelc

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