We need to protect our greenways potential/heritage along with businesses and community development.

Eirgrid, who operate the Irish Electricity Grid, plans to link the electricity grids in the Republic and North of Ireland by a 400kv overhead power line called the North South Interconnector. This plan would involve the erection of 409 steel pylons ranging in height from 26m to 51m through rural Meath Cavan and Monaghan and Tyrone in close proximity to many homes. This proposal has been rejected vehemently by the residents of these counties on the basis of (a) Health risks associated with living in close proximity to power lines, in particular an association with childhood leukemia, (b) Impact on Heritage, Community life, farming and wildlife (c) Visual impact (d) Noise (e) Impact on property values. From the outset the affected communities, through their representative group NEPP (North East Pylon Pressure) have advocated for the project to proceed using underground cabling to connect the power grids. Eirgrid rejected this proposal stating initially that it wasn't feasible and would cost from 10 to 25 times the overhead option. Eirgrid have since had to concede that undergrounding is indeed feasible and that their costings were grossly wide of the mark. Undergrounding is not in fact more expensive when all costs are taken into account. Indeed Eirgrid have recently selected UNDERGROUND CABLING as the best option for the Kildare-Meath Grid link upgrade. Eirgrid state ..."during the consultation period, new information was received in the form of advice from the Asset Owner cable specialists suggesting that UGC can be constructed in a more efficient manner than was previously assumed.." It can be laid along the road side in a trench 2m by 2m. Had Eirgrid used the same criteria in the Public Consultation process for NSI there is no doubt the NSI would be undergrounded. It is worth noting that Eirgrid are planning to underground the Celtic Interconnector and have dropped plans for the Grid west Overhead line. Why scar the landscape and negatively impact our rural communities for generations to come when there is a viable alternative. Help us to preserve the beauty of our landscape and protect the Health and well-being of our communities. Undergrounding this project is feasible and affordable. We call on Govt to direct Eirgrid accordingly.

Due to COVID-19 the backlog of people waiting for a driver theory test is extortionate. This is impacting people trying to find work and many of these are young people, who are already suffering from isolation in a pandemic now to be told they may have to wait longer to start out in the work-force. We already know there was an online pilot for truck and bus licenses and the RSA committed to making this service available for all theory test customers, but we are still waiting for the launch. Once this is launched the backlog will go down and will lower the unemployment in Ireland. https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/munster/arid-40218968.html

This is a growing Community Market which offers so much more than locally made goods and produce, it offers a meeting place for people in a safe outdoor setting. It is a great addition to the town of Tramore and is well supported by residents. The Council need to be realistic in the number of stalls needed here AND listen to the voices of the community,both market stall owners and those in the town who support the market.

For Ballyhaunis and its community to progress we need our local Bank of Ireland branch operational; to be an open and fully functioning Bank. The Ballyhaunis Community have built and maintained this Bank over the last Century and are dependent on it for its future growth which is crucial to the economic future of the region. We now call on the Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe to now use his influence to have this decision reversed. We need your help please sign our petition, spread the word on social media and anywhere we can get support. How it will be delivered The petition will be delivered directly to the Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe TD and by post to the CEO and Board of Bank of Ireland.

For towns and communities to thrive they need their local bank branches to stay open. In the middle of a pandemic when customers and businesses are under severe pressure, Bank of Ireland, which was bailed out to the tune of €4.7 billion by the Irish people, should not be closing bank branches. Keeping our local bank branches open is crucial to the economic future of communities as we seek to rebuild after this pandemic. As the largest shareholder in Bank of Ireland, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe must stand up for communities facing the closure of the 103 local bank branches listed below. Carlow: Boris, Tullow Cavan: Arva, Cootehill, Kingscourt Clare: Kilkee, Miltown Malbay, Tulla Cork: Cork Institute of Technology, Glanmire, Bantry, Cobh, Dunmanway, Kanturk, Millstreet, Michelstown, Youghal Donegal: Bunbeg, Bundoran, Dungloe, Glenties, Moville Dublin: James Street, Law Library, Phibsboro, Ballycoolin, Killester, Merrion Road, Rathmines, Ballyfermot Galway: Ballygar, Dunmore, Oughterard Kerry: Castleisland, Kilorglin, Tralee IT Kildare: Celbridge, Kilcullen, Leixlip, HP/Intel, Monasterevin Kilkenny: Callan, Graiguenamanagh, Thomastown, Urlingford Laois: Durrow, Mountrath, Rathdowney Leitrim: Drunshambo, Manorhamilton Limerick: Abbeyfeale, Askeaton, Bruff, Caherdavin, Rathkeale, Roxboro, University of Limerick Longford: Granard Louth, Dunleer Mayo: Ballyhaunis, Charlestown, Kiltimagh Meath: Athboy, Enfield, Ratoath Monaghan: Castleblayney, Clones Offaly: Banagher, Clara, Edenderry Roscommon: Elphin, Strokestown Sligo: Ballymote, Tubbercurry Tipperary: Cahir, Cashel, Templemore Waterford: Ardkeen, Kilmacthomas, Lismore Westmeath: Athlone IT, Castlepollard, Kinnegad, Moate Wexford: Rosslare, Taghmon Wicklow: Carnew, Rathdrum, Tinahely North: Ballymena, Banbridge, Belfast (Lisburn Rd), Belfast (Ormeau Rd), Belfast (University Rd), Crossmaglen, Derry (Strand Rd), Downpatrick, Dungannon, Keady, Limavaddy, Lisburn, Lisnakea, Portadown, Strabane

Longford Greyhound Stadium is a 7.1 acre site situated in a prime location close to the town centre of Longford currently zoned as a Sporting & Recreational area. Any change to its status to allow for developments such as housing or retail would need to be agreed by the local authority. Longford County Council need to engage with the wider community regarding the potential use of this site. We are calling on the executive to open a public consultation with local residents regarding the long-term vision for this area. This development will have a huge impact on our town - our opinions and concerns matter! #OurTownOurFuture

The fast-tracking of a bypass of Kilrane Village is crucial to the safety of the children of the area as Kilrane National School sits directly on the N25. Haulier traffic in the port increased 500% in the first week of Brexit. The increase in traffic since Brexit we believe also creates many current problems and potential future problems in the development of Kilrane Village and for the quality of life of the residents of the village and surrounding area. We believe that the issues highlighted in the attached full petition cover the concerns of the residents of Kilrane and the surrounding area. The full detailed petition can be viewed at this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ty7ADK6uwvOKAdAA79xuz_rkg7FrnTbc/view?usp=sharing

Our petition is about the catastrophic effects of neglecting to fix an issue after the first death, not the seventh. Needless loss of life has a devastating effect on families and communities. Make the fix now. Please sign this petition and support us as we work to bring the urgency of this need to the officials of Edenderry, Tullamore and Ofally Thank you for signing, thank you for sharing this and stay safe on the road this year.

Croagh Patrick is the most important pilgrimage site in Ireland and holds a special place in the Irish consciousness. Each year on Reek Sunday over 25,000 pilgrims climb The Reek in honour of Saint Patrick who, according to tradition, fasted and prayed on the summit for forty days in the year 441 AD. Pilgrims and other walkers have long enjoyed unrestricted access to The Reek and enjoyed the spectacular views of Clew Bay from the summit. But this access is not recognised as a public right of way by Mayo County Council and this leaves it vulnerable to being permanently blocked off from the public. In fact in 2018 there was a threat to block the path for the summer season which was thankfully avoided at the time. Sadly, this situation is repeated across Ireland on many of the old or regularly used paths. We may not be able to protect all the paths we use but, at the very least, the public should have the right to access a mountain as iconic and steeped in our history as Croagh Patrick. In 2021 Mayo Council Council is revising the Mayo County Development Plan and we have the chance to ensure that access is preserved for future generations and cannot be blocked. By signing this petition you will be supporting a campaign to ensure your children and grandchildren can climb Croagh Patrick in years to come. It will protect the path from the threat of "no access" and finally grant people the legal right to walk this ancient path that has been used since pagan times. We need Mayo County Council to recognise the route as a public right of way in the Mayo County Development Plan. The Plan is now open to public consultation and Keep Ireland Open will make a submission requesting that the mountain path to the summit of Croagh Patrick is permanently listed as a public right of way. This petition will show the huge support for this measure among the public. PLEASE HELP US TO SPREAD THE WORD BY SHARING THE PETITION ON YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE. SIGNING IS GREAT BUT SHARING AND ASKING FRIENDS TO SIGN IS EVEN BETTER !!!! Keep Ireland Open is a national voluntary organisation campaigning for the right of recreational users to responsible access to the Irish countryside. Find us on Facebook, Twitter and at keepirelandopen.org

The HSE and SH:24 partnered to offer free STI home test kits as part of a pilot project, to find out how online services can help support people’s sexual health. These at-home STI tests were LGBT+ inclusive and were first made available to order online for residents of County Dublin, Cork and Kerry, however, as of January 6th - less than one day after the pilot launched, the service was shut due to the unprecedented high demand. The high number of sign-ups clearly illustrates the strong support for continuing and expanding this service nationwide. This scheme is particularly necessary at present as STI clinics are closed due to COVID-19, risking long waiting lists upon re-opening, and worsened health outcomes for those who could not access testing and treatment. At-home STI tests shift those with less complex sexual health needs from clinics to an online service thus reducing clinic waiting times, is safer during COVID-19, removes transportation barriers and encourages more people to get tested due to easier access. Free STI tests removes the financial barriers to testing services. Sign the petition to show your support for continuing & expanding this scheme!

Dear Friends, I just created the petition: Ag fas le cheile! Say yes to a 100% Organic, 100% Chemical-free and 100% GMO-free Ireland. It would mean a lot to me if you took a moment to add your name because: A journey’s end matters not, for it is the journey itself that inspires, enriches and delights. As I took “the road less travelled” 18 months ago, I could not have imagined the amount of learning to be had on this road; for I am now less dependent on certain modern conveniences than I was in May 2019. Now in November 2020, I am • 100% shampoo-free • 100% clothes detergent-free • 100% washing-up liquid free • 100% dishwasher liquid free • 100% all-purpose cleaner free • 99% bin-free. In short, grey water that leaves my house is virtually chemical free with a minimal toxic load to the environment. My garden is 100% Organic, 100% Chemical-free and 100% GMO-free and has been for about 10 years. With the continued support from local Clare businesses and shops, Clare media and a waste prevention grant from Clare County Council, Operation de-Plastification with its “slim your bin or bin your bin challenge” has been able to inform, encourage, support and lead-by-example on the quest to waste reduction, particularly plastic related waste in the shape of single-use plastic bottles and plastic packaging. With the submission to Clare County Council for the Clare Local Development Plan 2022 – 2028 "100% Organic, 100% Chemical-free and 100% GMO-free", I am hoping to sow the seed for a different Clare, and by extension a different Ireland, to highlight a path that has been taken by other countries successfully and to encourage as many people of all ages and guises, including businesses and politicians, to re-think their habits and attitudes in relation to • everyday conveniences • everyday routines • everyday practices to aid the recovery of our planet, with an intact environment which in turn will support our future. The attempt to combine the Operation de-Plastification campaign and the vision for a post-pandemic County Clare, has generated the “ag fás le chéile” petition, where shoppers, sellers and consumers can voice, with their signature, their request for an enduring “green” Ireland. The petition aims to address all people living in Ireland: • Shoppers: we want to buy local, sustainable, affordable, nutritious, delicious, organic, plastic-packaging-free, chemical-free and gmo-free goods • Sellers: we want to sell local, sustainable, affordable, nutritious, delicious, organic, plastic-packaging-free, chemical-free and gmo-free goods • Consumers: we want to enjoy local, sustainable, affordable, nutritious, delicious, organic, plastic-packaging-free, chemical-free and gmo-free goods Assuring our environment’s and our survival, “the road not taken” may lead to a life and life-style where less is more, as less is more than enough in my experience. With the kindest regards, Cornelia Wahli Operation de-Plastification Campaign Slim your Bin or Bin your Bin Challenge “Ag fás le chéile” Petition ____________________________________________________________________ https://my.uplift.ie/petitions/ag-fas-le-cheile-say-yes-to-a-100-organic-chemical-free-and-gmo-free-ireland Real change happens when everyday people like you and I come together and stand up for what we believe in. Together we can reach lots of people and help create change around this important issue. After you've signed the petition, could you also take a moment to share it with others? It's really easy – all you need to do is forward this email. Thank you!