Calves are separated and transported too young and without proper feeding systems. Pregnant sows are confined to extreme metal-barred crates. Broiler chickens being grown at rates where they can't support their own weight, packed into overcrowded sheds.

Ireland 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.  

Anaerobic 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.

It is crucial to the community to provide an inclusive, creative space, for people of all ages to have fun and to gather. Skating builds social connections and encourages the community to be active and aids with mental and physical well-being, a meeting point for people of all backgrounds. One suggestion for where the skatepark could be is the Sorensen Service site near St. Josephs Church (adjacent to the intersection of the R639 and the Hazelwood Rd), once it moves its machinery and cars off it and all that. Another suggestion, could be to build a Skatepark on the old John Barleycorn Hotel site in Glanmire. In fact, anywhere in Glanmire would be wonderful to have a skatepark that people can easily walk or cycle to. In conclusion, I deeply feel passionate about getting a skatepark and it will bring lots of liveliness and good vibes to the area, so if you want, sign for the coolest petition

We welcome and commend the Play Streets initiative and the recent car-free day on September 21st. These events are valuable and inspiring examples of how Dublin can create safer, more inclusive, and community-focused public spaces.  We fully support these efforts and want to see them grow. To deliver real, city-wide impact, we must build on this positive momentum. On the most recent car-free day, just 25 of Dublin’s more than 4,000 streets were closed to traffic, and only for three hours. Many residents didn’t even know it was happening. This is not enough to make a meaningful difference to air quality, community life, or public space. We ask Dublin City Council to: 1. Expand the number of streets included in car-free initiatives across all areas of Dublin. 2. Extend the duration of car-free events to a full day, rather than just a few hours. 3. Increase the frequency, moving from one day a year to at least one Sunday per month in 2026. 4. Publicly promote and map each event so that residents across Dublin can take part. Cities like Bogotá and Paris have shown how regular car-free Sundays transform urban life (giving us cleaner air, safer streets, and more sociable communities!) Dublin has the same potential! It’s time to make our streets places for people, not cars. Get in touch with us by email: [email protected]  Follow us on Instagram: @peoplenotcarsdublin

We have already gathered over 1,100 signatures on our paper petition, including support from Deputy Roderic O'Gorman (Green Party Leader), Deputy Jennifer Whitmore (Social Democrats), Senator Malcolm Noonan (Green Party), and Senator Cathal Byrne (Fine Gael). On October 13th, we  hand-delivered our petition to Wexford County Council. Now we are launching this online petition to amplify the call for action and demonstrate the breadth of public concern about Lady's Island Lake. By adding your signature, you are joining a growing movement demanding transparency, accountability, and urgent environmental protection. Lady's Island Lake cannot wait. The warning bells have been ringing for years. We need decisive action from Wexford County Council and the Government to reverse this destruction, restore this irreplaceable natural resource, and protect it for future generations. Sign this petition and help us stop the pollution.

Some students don’t need more motivation. They just need a meal. Right now across Ireland, too many students are studying hungry, skipping meals to pay rent or travel to class. Hunger isn’t just physical. It drains focus, energy, and hope. When we feed students, we’re not just helping them survive college. We’re helping them show up fully, to learn, lead, and become who they’re meant to be. This is why we’re building Crave Christi Student Sponsorship, to make sure no student is left behind because of an empty plate. Join us in turning compassion into action. Together, we can make student hunger impossible to ignore. Because hunger shouldn’t be part of the college experience. Not here. Not now.

The Green Schools Committee held a survey last year that found not one student currently walks or cycles to school from off-campus. Not because they don’t want to, but because they can’t do it safely. This needs to change. Footpaths from one or both directions would create healthier and safer route to school, as well as meaning less traffic on the roads. If you agree it’s time for change, please sign the petition. For safety, choice and a more sustainable school community. Image - https://www.droghedagrammarschool.ie/Welcome/How-our-school-is-run/

Residents of Inchicore and Dublin 8 use the Grand Canal to walk and cycle to work, and school. Local residents walk their dogs and relax with their children and family along this green space. The lamp posts along this section of the Grand Canal are rusty and have graffiti on them, some of which is 24 years. The run down lamp posts are taking away from the relaxation and feeling of safety on the tow path for walkers, cyclists and joggers using the tow path. This is a straight forward maintence job.

OThe 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 Leyden

Edenderry has become a hub for the Re-Turn Scheme, people from the town and surrounding areas all bring their bottles into the town to return.  Even with the 5 locations within the town, there can still be long lines and delays for returning our bottles. All it takes is one or two people having to handball trolley loads of bottles to take up a machine for some time.  With the growing successes of the scheme has also come new fund raising opportunities for local groups and charities by collection bottles in bulk and returning them. Again due to only having single bottle return machines, the process of returning these bulk batches of bottles can take some time.  We are calling on Re-Turn and Offaly County Council to arrange for some of the newer Bulk Re-Turn machines to be installed within the town. 

Making it easier for households and small businesses to have  solar power and better battery storage systems will mean • Save households hundreds of €€ on energy bills • Irelands reliance on imported fossil fuels will be reduced • Thousands of new jobs will be created in the solar and energy storage industries • Greenhouse gas emissions will fall - up to 20% • Less pollution and better air quality and public health, particularly in urban areas • Make it easier to also have EV's meaning less pollution on the roads.