The campaign is important to make sure that rural needs are addressed and that a sustainable future can be found for our beautiful villages.

There is a concerning oversight in the planning approach of Kerry County Council regarding Campervan/Motorhome 'Aire' type services. These services, named after the 'Aires de Service' in France, offer essential amenities for Campervan / Motorhome users and are prevalent across continental EU countries. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a notable surge in 'Staycationers,' accompanied by a corresponding increase in Campervan / Motorhome sales. These vehicles afford individuals the comfort of their own secure space, fostering a preference for domestic travel among many. This presents a unique opportunity to augment 'bed nights' in regions beyond the primary tourist centres, offering significant economic advantages to these areas. By providing adequate facilities for Campervan/Motorhome users, Kerry County Council can tap into this burgeoning market and bolster tourism in less frequented areas. During stays at the Bridge Field, we've encountered visitors from various countries, including the UK, Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands, as well as fellow Irish tourists. Their patronage has notably boosted the local economy, benefiting village shops, pubs, restaurants, and even the weekly farmer's market. These visits aren't confined to the summer months but extend throughout the year, owing to the convenience their vehicles afford them.   Moreover, the spaciousness of motorhomes encourages tourists to invest in larger purchases, fostering new opportunities for rural craft enterprises across Ireland. The Bridge Field motorhome park provides a warm and inviting hub for exploration in Kerry. However, the absence of such a facility may now lead to a noticeable influx of camper vans into the village, only to depart shortly after due to the lack of secure parking - a circumstance that would be particularly regrettable for the community in the upcoming seasons. At present, the sole Aire-type service available in Kerry County is the thriving motorhome park located at Goosey Island in Sneem. This serves as a prime example of how such facilities can significantly contribute to the prosperity of a local community.  It begs the question: is there a bias against Campervans/Motorhomes within the Kerry Co. Co. Planning department, or perhaps a misguided association of this lifestyle with a particular demographic? Consider this: would you prefer 'Staycationers' to support rural areas in Ireland by spending their money locally, or would you rather see them opt for ferries to destinations like France, Germany, or Spain, where they are warmly welcomed and their tourism euros are eagerly received? 

Cavan is ever growing and yet the recreational activities grow smaller and smaller each year. We should be encouraged to play sport and stay active but it seems people think the opposite would be better. When it comes to the insurance issues, Playgrounds and Skateparks are use at your own risk so why can't football pitches be the same. If that's not good enough, operate on the same basis as a swimming pool or a gym as they give coverage for injuries too at a cheaper price. Not everybody can make an insurance of 100 worth it when they're working full time, have kids or are in university. And you shouldn't be threatened to have the gardai called on you for playing football. The State funds these GAA pitches using the public's tax but you must pay to access it and in other countries this sort of issue is unheard of.

Increased bus services means Increased independence, especially for young people, older people and those who don’t use a car https://www.uplift.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/MyUplift-banner-politician-SVG.svg

The road is a danger to all and most especially our pedestrians and cyclists. The surveys are done the measurements taken. We need contractors on the ground to make the road safe for all.

There has been a rise in burglaries in the last year. Burglaries have been more or less consistently happening since last November. Communities are afraid and this should not be the case for people in 2024. We need and deserve proper rural policing.  

Ireland has an Ageing population. There must be continued provision and resourcing of off-line alternatives to digital access to ensure equal access for those who are not using the Internet. (Digital Inclusion and an Ageing Population - published October 2021).

AIB is moving 70 of their branches to cashless banking. [1] Not only will going cashless mean no notes, coins, cheques, foreign exchange, bank drafts - it will remove any drop safes, night safes and ATMs outside. This is going to cause huge hardship for many people - especially older and vulnerable people, disabled people, immigrant workers, low income families, local businesses, and people who don’t have access to the internet. The greed and recklessness of banks, including AIB bosses, played a crucial role in bringing about the financial crash. [2] Homes were repossessed by banks, families lost their incomes, young and not-so-young people were forced to emigrate, businesses had to close. We cannot stand by while our majority state-owned bank hurts our communities again. Whether large corporations (such as AIB) want to admit it or not, physical cash flow is crucial to the success and stability of our communities. We cannot sit by and allow a bunch of people in offices make decisions about what our future will look like. [1] https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2022/0719/1311026-aib-to-turn-70-branches-cashless-expand-an-post-deal/ [2] https://pai.ie/bank-bailout-costs-state-nearly-e42-billion/ https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32516942

Evidence has shown that North Kildare is not getting its share of community resources. No swimming pool, no waste facilities, the Wonderful Barn not invested in, decrepit playgrounds, not enough youth facilities beyond sports. We need community investment along with new housing.

The Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael and Green government have missed their own deadline on the publication of a second report that was expected to outline the targets for the nationwide delivery of services. We are calling on people to contact their local government TDs and Minister Helen McEntee to urge the release of this report and provide actionable timelines for the delivery of a refuge that can provide wraparound services, in Carlow and the 8 other counties without one. Now that the issue has fallen out of public focus the government has dropped the ball, but we won’t stand for it. The Government has failed us for too long on domestic violence, we need to hold them to account on their deadlines. Ireland is currently providing less than 30% of the places recommended under the Istanbul Convention. The Government must increase the number of refuge places needs to be increased by at least 350. There are 9 counties with no refuge in Ireland. Campaigners in Carlow have been calling since 2017 and have been consistently stonewalled by the Government. Tusla has still not made any contact with Carlow Council on the provision of a refuge despite a statement from Government in February saying this would happen. Everyday, women and children are being turned away and forced to choose between homelessness and returning to their abuser and staying in abusive relationships for fear of homelessness. We cannot wait, demand action now!

Its a dangerous road, kids have to cross to get to the school with trucks and cars speeding by.

As cars become more and more expensive and almost unattainable for most people going forward. We need to invest in local public transport to make it more reliable and convenient for everyone who use it.