This is a human rights issue:   A recent ERSI report highlighted the basic inequalities in the provision of Personal Assistants across the country. Ranging from differences of approach to completely inadequate resource allocation depending on on where people live. Most damming of all is that if you are over 65 you will not be considered for a PA ; a clear case of discrimination. We are asking you to sign this petition to get the government to take immediate action. 

Background: Statistics from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry indicate that over 50% of new petrol and diesel cars, bought in 2023, were SUVs [1]. According to the Financial Times, sales of SUVs in Ireland are amongst the highest in the EU [2]. These vehicles, largely driven in urban areas, contribute disproportionately to greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and traffic congestion. Their larger size and weight result in increased fuel consumption and road wear, further exacerbating these issues. Their electric counterparts, due to their excessive size are contributing to global shortages of critical metals such as lithium, causing significant environmental degradation & reshaping global politics. Crash data from Belgium from 2017 to 2021 also shows that a 10cm increase in the height of vehicle fronts raises the risk of death by 30% when a car hits a pedestrian or cyclist, according to a study by the Vias Institute, previously the Belgian Institute for Road Safety [3]. By imposing an additional VRT on the sale of non-commercial heavy vehicles, we can encourage manufacturers to stop increasing the size of their cars, and incentivize consumers to choose more environmentally friendly options, such as smaller, more fuel-efficient cars or public transportation. This would help to reduce our carbon footprint and improve air quality. A higher VRT on heavy non-commercial vehicles is a necessary and effective measure to protect our environment and promote sustainable transportation and public health improvements. “The Irish transport system is car dependent by design, is high in greenhouse gas emissions and does not support improved well-being.” — OECD 2022 report Promoting Equity: By taxing non-commercial vehicles that disproportionately contribute to emissions, a sales weight tax could create a more equitable system where the costs of environmental damage are more fairly distributed between urban and rural dwellers. This could free up resources for other groups such as farmers to be rewarded for investing in sustainable practices.

After the fall of the Assad regime, Minister Helen McEntee announced that Ireland will pause making final decisions on asylum applications from Syrian people.  While the fall of the Assad regime has been welcomed as a victory for the people of Syria, it has also left a power vacuum in the country and many Syrians have good reason to seek safety abroad. It’s still unclear how Syria will be governed and by whom. In addition to this, the country is being heavily bombed by the Israeli army. Minister McEntee's decision to pause asylum applications will cause huge stress and uncertainty for Syrian people who have made Ireland their home. We are urging Minister McEntee to immediately reverse this decision and start processing Syrian people's asylum applications once more.

No Matter who we are or where we are from we all deserve access to the democratic process.  So many young people from Ireland are unable to vote during elections as we do not have a system for people to vote, if they are not in the country.  in 2024 an estimated 40,000 emigrated from Ireland for one reason or another. That does not count people who are traveling during an election.  We are now calling on the government to take reasonable actions that would open up voting to those who are normally a resident in Ireland but are not here during an election.  In many countries around the world, people are allowed to vote while they are abroad. In Ireland however, if you are not in your home area, say you are from Cork, but Studying in Dublin, you are either forced to return home on voting day or go without.  Simple changes to mail in voting and rules for expats who may be out of country could see the turn out during elections increase and the voice of everyone to be counted! 

We call on you to sign this petition to ensure that Denis Lacey Hall remains in public hands; over the years, the building housed many dance, music and social clubs and was a thriving community hub for fifty years until its recent demise. We believe the building could be brought back to its former splendour and become a much-needed thriving community centre and circular economy hub for many years to come.

The Irish elections have concluded, and once again, the status quo has been upheld. However, we must look to the future and ensure that the voices of all Irish citizens—both at home and abroad are heard in shaping our democracy. For too long, the voices of those who have emigrated have been excluded, despite their continued ties to Ireland and the very policies that have pushed them away. Every year, over 60,000 of our young people leave Irish shores, driven away by a country that has become increasingly inhospitable to those seeking a decent quality of life. The policies of successive governments have failed to address the crises we face in housing, workers' rights, healthcare, and the broader quality of life for ordinary people. Instead, the status quo persists, upheld by an electorate that does not reflect the full breadth of Irish voices. We call for the inclusion of Irish citizens living abroad in our democratic process through postal voting rights. These are people forced to emigrate due to the inability of this government to provide for its citizens. Their voices matter. The decisions made here affect their future, their families, and their hope of ever returning to a better Ireland. This petition highlights the following urgent concerns: 1. Failed Government Policies: Successive governments, particularly the Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil coalition, have prioritized enterprise and profits over people. This has led to: ·        An unprecedented housing crisis, forcing families into homelessness and driving young people out of the country. ·        A voluntarist model of collective bargaining, leaving Irish workers with some of the weakest protections across OECD states. ·        A shift towards privatisation of public services, reducing job quality and diminishing workers' rights while prioritising profits over service provision. 1. A Mass Exodus: Our rich culture, community, and potential are being eroded as young people emigrate en masse. This government has stripped Ireland of what makes it vibrant and sustainable for future generations. 2. Lack of Representation: The recent election results reflect a system that excludes the voices of those most impacted by these policies. Our emigrants must have the right to vote, to ensure the government is held accountable not just by those who remain but also by those forced to leave. By signing this petition, you are standing up for: • The right of emigrants to have their voices heard. • The need to address low voter turnout by ensuring more inclusive participation. • A fairer, more inclusive Ireland that prioritises its people. Let us reflect on our voting policies and build a country that future generations can call home.

The Central Bank of Ireland is still selling Israeli bonds, despite the state's ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people. Israel is marketing these bonds as a means to support its onslaught in Gaza. The Central Bank says it can't stop selling these bonds unless the Irish government puts sanctions in place that prevent it from doing so.  Together, we are calling on Micheál Martin and Simon Harris to impose immediate sanctions on Israel that would stop the Central Bank from selling these bonds once and for all. 

Donald Trump is set to become president of the United States for the second time, and he's already promising an extreme regime that will see serious negative consequences for so many people.  RTÉ is currently running ads promoting Trump's Doonbeg hotel and golf club. Our national broadcaster shouldn't be taking money from a dangerous man who promises to make life worse for people from marginalised backgrounds. Together, we're calling on RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst to pull these ads with immediate effect.

We would like Fingal County Council to make our Seabury pathways safer by fixing the damaged pathway areas outside houses  number 8 and number 9 Estuary Road Malahide. The raised areas and potholes at this location are a dangerous tripping hazard for pedestrians. They have caused many young children to fall off of their bikes and scooters while on their way to school or to the local playground. Location: (53.4538894, -6.1819346). There are also many elderly residents living near this location who are at risk of falling.  It is so easily preventable. Just a bit of concrete here and the path will be made safe. I have contacted the county council months ago and have not had any proper response. Please sign our petition to get this fixed and make Seabury a safer place for all! :)

• 12,734 murders in the first half of 2024, with an average of 70 people murdered daily. • 11,520 civilian casualties in the Ukraine war between February 2022 and July 2024. • 42,780 rapes reported in the 2022/2023 fiscal year (1 rape every 12 minutes). • 15,343 kidnappings reported in the 2022/2023 fiscal year (51 per day). • 5,488 cars hijacked between April and June 2024 (60 per day). Can you imagine living under these conditions? For just one week or one month, consider what it would feel like to live in such an environment. Your home: 1. Alarm system always armed. 2. Bars on your windows, never opened at night or when you’re not in the room. 3. Security gates on your front and back doors, always locked. 4. High property walls covered in electric fencing. 5. CCTV cameras for constant monitoring. Even with all these security features, the average South African rarely sleeps deeply, fearing that someone may bypass these measures and enter their home to rob, kill, or assault them. If the alarm is triggered, it’s often not the police who respond but a private security company, and response times can range from 30 minutes to never. On the streets: Walking requires constant vigilance. Nobody walks alone. Children don’t play in parks, walk to visit friends, or go to the mall without close adult supervision. Many children cannot even play in their own yards unsupervised. Crime Statistics in Major South African Cities Cape Town, South Africa • Population: 464,986 • Murder rate: 64 per 100,000 inhabitants Cape Town ranks among the world’s most dangerous cities, with a murder rate of 66.36 per 100,000 residents. Johannesburg, South Africa • Population: 5,866,550 • Murder rate: 37.9 per 100,000 inhabitants Johannesburg is one of the world’s deadliest cities, where displaying wealth can make you a target for kidnapping. Traveling in an armored vehicle or with a large group is recommended for safety. Pietermaritzburg, South Africa • Population: 475,238 Both public and private transport, day and night, can be dangerous in Pietermaritzburg. Violent crimes peak at night. It’s recommended to avoid taking out cash unless inside a hotel or bank due to the high crime rate and low police presence. Pretoria, South Africa • Population: 741,651 • Murder rate: 38 per 100,000 inhabitants Pretoria is another dangerous city where travelers should avoid walking or traveling at night. Armed robberies and gang violence are prevalent, making armored vehicles a safer option for those who can access them. Sources: • Most Dangerous Cities in the World - Armormax • Shocking Murder Numbers in South Africa - BusinessTech • Ukraine War Casualties - Statista • Sexual Offenses in South Africa - Statista • Kidnapping Cases in South Africa - South African Government

They are an honest mother (Nadia Jacobs) and her two children (Amy Gloria and Gabriel Jacobs) seeking asylum in Ireland from South Africa, where she was unable to gain employment due to the local laws of the country, and due to discrimination of both race and gender.  South Africa is not a safe country to live in, the crime is extremely high, corruption is rife everywhere,  Without employment one is not able to provide for your family, as a single mother of mixed heritage- South African and Portuguese, she chose to come to Ireland where she has distant roots but also due to language, her children do not speak Portuguese however are fluent in English 

Palestinians are at high risk from ongoing genocidal assault and brutal occupation by Israel