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!

The loss of Ballykisteen Golf Course impacts the lives of the 400+ members and the 20 employees that are directly and indirectly employed by the club. It removes a vital facility that brings together families from across the county, breaking apart a local community and isolating those that rely on the club for social interactions. In 2017, the Great National Hotel Group received funding support from Enterprise Ireland, a government-funded investment body focused on the creation of local jobs and economic growth. Despite this state-sponsored funding, the hotel group is planning on selling the course as farmland this week, impacting 20+ jobs in the locality and devastating the local economy. We have made numerous efforts to find alternative buyers that are interested in keeping the course open. Unfortunately, hotel management has failed to prioritise buyers interested in keeping the golf course open. Despite requests for both information and cooperation, we have had minimal communication from the hotel. Our understanding is that a contract for the sale of the land is to be signed and concluded this week with the golf course being sold as farmland. We are pleading with the hotel to do all in their power to preserve this facility for the locality. Let's do all that we can to fight for this precious amenity at the heart of our small, but mighty community.

Primary Care Centre for Birr This week the HSE turned down the Rectory Field as a location for the proposed Birr Primary Care Centre. For years the HSE have been informing the people of Birr that they are committed to providing a Primary Care Centre in the town and to date nothing has happened. This weeks news has set us back to square one. Tullamore has a Primary care centre, the Primary Care Centre in Banagher is near completion so why is Birr no further on?? We need to show the HSE that the people of Birr and surrounding areas need a Primary care centre and we want the HSE to make this a priority. The HSE have given an assurance that space will be provided for the possible return of our “Out of Hours (MIDOC) “ when the Birr Primary Care Centre is built. The longer the delay the longer the wait to get our MIDOC back to BIRR. We are also asking for an “X-RAY Diagnostic Hub” in the new PCC. It is amazing how many cars travel to Tullamore by day and night for this service. We are fed up of travelling and fed up of waiting weeks to see a doctor. We urge the Minister for Health and the HSE to take immediate action on developing a primary care centre for Birr without further delay.