The 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!

We the residents of Lusk, Rush, and the surrounding North Fingal communities, call for the assessment and establishment of a permanent, full-time Garda station to serve this rapidly growing area. Over the past three decades, Lusk has grown from a small town of just over 2,000 people to a population of over 9,000, while the wider Rush–Lusk area now serves a combined population of many thousands. roughly over 20,000. This expansion has been driven by significant residential development and continued planning for further housing across Fingal. Fingal is one of the fastest-growing regions in the State, with its population nearly doubling since the early 1990s and substantial additional housing planned through to 2029. Despite this sustained growth, local policing infrastructure has not kept pace with the scale, density, and service needs of the community. Residents increasingly rely on Garda resources based in neighbouring Balbriggan, resulting in reduced visibility, longer response distances, and concern that policing provision no longer reflects the size and character of the population now living in the Lusk–Rush catchment. This petition does not seek temporary measures, but a long-term infrastructure response aligned with national planning and population policy. We therefore respectfully request: 1. A formal assessment by the Department of Justice and An Garda Síochána of policing needs in the Lusk–Rush growth area; 2. The provision of a permanent, full-time Garda station to serve this community; 3. Allocation of staffing and resources proportionate to the sustained population expansion of North Fingal. We submit this petition as evidence of strong community support for aligning public safety infrastructure with the scale of development already delivered by the State and local authority planning policy.

There 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.

We all deserve to feel safe in our homes and communities. Many people living in Edenderry have experienced going to the Gardai Station, during their posted opening hours, only to find that the public office is closed or the Gardai inside are attending to someone else, so were unable to assist them.  With the closure or seriously restricted opening hours of many surrounding stations, such as the one in Rhode Village, comes an increase demand on Edenderry station. At Present, the closest full time station to Edenderry is Tullamore, over 30 KM away. Tullamore Station is the only full time station in the whole county and as such, after hours, it covers a massive area, often leading to long lead times when the Gardai are called.  The New Gardai Commissioner and Minister for Justice, must come together to find the resources to reopen the station full time and to protect the people of Edenderry and surrounding areas. 

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.

Cost of living 

The service has been closed since 2017. It is time that people of Castlerea have access to life saving services like Fire Station.

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

**Reasons for Our Opposition:**  1. **Safety Concerns:** Increasing the speed limit poses a significant risk to pedestrians, especially children and elderly residents who frequently use this area. The current speed limit is vital for ensuring their safety as they navigate through our village.  2. **Community Well-Being:** Oulart is a close-knit community where residents and visitors alike walk, cycle, and interact regularly. A higher speed limit would create a more dangerous environment, discouraging outdoor activities and reducing the quality of life in our village.  3. **Traffic Accidents:** Historical data shows that higher speeds lead to more severe accidents. Maintaining the current speed limit will help protect all road users and reduce the likelihood of collisions.  4. **Environmental Impact:** Higher speeds contribute to increased emissions and noise pollution, which can negatively affect our community’s health and environment. Keeping the speed limit lower supports our goals of promoting sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint.  5. **Support for Local Businesses:** A safer environment encourages more foot traffic in Oulart, which benefits local businesses. We believe that maintaining the current speed limit will support economic growth while prioritizing safety.  For these reasons, we urge decision-makers to reconsider any proposals to increase the speed limit at this junction.

There was a pedestrian crossing for years beside a busy bus stop, right at the door of Centra and it was an extremely helpful safety feature. It’s been replaced with just a painted stop line—no signage, and no proper protection for pedestrians and no warning for drivers. The Council don’t have any plans to add  signage either.  Despite concerns already raised, Wicklow County Council has confirmed it will not be reinstated, advising instead that the public simple needs to “be alert” when crossing. This is not good enough. We need safe infrastructure, not vague advice. Local TD Jennifer Whitmore has supported contact with the Council, but they need to hear from more of us. Cars, vans, and delivery trucks drive straight over the line without stopping until they reach the main road. This is a serious risk to public safety.

Kildare county currently has no facilities for musicians and dancers to develop their works. We would like to see free or affordable hourly rents for small dedicated rehearsal rooms (especially soundproof rooms and sprung floors). As a last resort, we believe that some spaces currently given over to visual artists (and nobody else) could be repurposed for different types of artists who need it more.

The community wants to save the beachfront, they believe the Council and  political representatives are not listening. ‘Our Village, Our Voice, Our Choice ‘