St. Patrick's Day is Ireland's most important national and cultural celebration, recognised globally.  Establishing a fixed annual long weekend would: • Enable greater participation in parades, cultural events and community celebrations • Support tourism, hospitality, and local economies across the country • Provide a consistent national holiday structure This change would preserve the cultural, historical and religious significance of the 17th of March while improving how the public holiday is observed for the benefit of society and the economy.

Johnny was a staple of not just the fishing community, but the Balbriggan community as a whole. Beloved by everyone in the town, he was a true gentleman who always had time for a smile and a chat. Having lived next to Johnny for 17 years, I knew him as the best of neighbors. Despite being 45 years my senior, he always had time for me and everyone on Bath Road. The outpouring of hundreds of stories and tributes online this past week is a testament to his kindness and the mark he left on us all. He truly was one of the last of the ‘Balbriggan greats.’ The tragic and untimely nature of his passing has left a gaping hole in our community, and our hearts go out to his family. As the Balbriggan Harbour Rejuvenation works move toward completion, we have a unique opportunity to give Johnny the remembrance he deserves in the heart of the maritime environment he loved. While we acknowledge Fingal County Council’s "20-Year Rule" (Section 5.5), which generally delays memorials until 20 years after a person’s passing, the policy allows for "very exceptional cases."  Given Johnny’s profound impact on the town’s identity and the heartbreaking circumstances of his passing, the people of Balbriggan believe this is undeniably one of those exceptional cases. We ask the Council to honor that legacy now, while his spirit remains so central to our town's current transformation.

As it stands there seems to be no set standard for community benefit schemes and near Neighbour payments that relate to wind farms across the country.  A prime example is SSE's "Yellow River Wind Farm" in North Offaly. Unlike many of the wind-farms within the county, SSE are only paying people who live within one Kilometer of a wind turbine. In contrast, BnM who plan to create a new wind-farm on the old Bord Na Mona Site, close to the yellow River wind farm, will be paying out a near neighbour payment to people up to two kilometers from their turbines.  It is clear that there is a massive need for more renewable energy within the country, no matter who we are or where we are from, we all deserve access to clean air and clean energy. At the same time we all should be able to enjoy the properties that we live in and be fairly compensated when that enjoyment is impacted.  As someone who lives exactly one kilometer from the Yellow river wind farm, i can confirm that on certain nights the noise from the turbines can get quiet loud and does take away from the enjoyment of my home. I was shocked when the representatives of the wind-farm came around to inform us of the near neibhour payments and seem to make light about how i was just inside the one kilometer boundary. I noted that my neighbours who were literally a meter outside of the radius are just as impacted as i am, but was told that their radius is rigid and it would be possible to get them included.  In terms of the community benefit funds, the amounts are linked to Kilowat of electricity produced and the not the revenue or profit generated by the wind-farm. This means that as the profit from the wind-farm increases, there will be no increase to the community fund.  We the undersigned are calling on Daragh O'Brien to standardise the payments across the board, to ensure that everyone within two kilometers of a turbine is sufficiently compensated and that the community benefit fund is linked to revenue created. 

We would urge you to add your name to this petition, as there is strength in numbers, to get these Bus Shelters approved and installed

This proposed interconnection between Mullingar and Athlone would give easier access to more destinations around Ireland, encourage the use of public transport and promote tourism. Currently the Sligo-Dublin train line is the only train line in Ireland that is not interconnected with any other train lines this results in a lack of direct access to many parts of the country for those who dont drive as trying to coordinate multiple modes of public transport can be a complex and often futile endeavour.  We shouldnt have to go to Dublin to get to Galway etc! 

Dublin City Council has announced plans to redevelop Mountjoy Square. https://engage.dublincity.ie/en-IE/projects/re-imagining-mountjoy-square-park-part-8/2 This in and of itself is to be welcomed. No one argues against the park currently being in a squalid state of disrepair. However, the current plans fail, beyond token measures, to provide appropriate play and sports facilities for the youth of the area. We must have sports facilities in Mountjoy Square where we can attract and nurture local young people, offering a pathway to a happy, healthy life in the grey concrete jungle of the North Inner City. Sports and physical activities are not just games; they teach teamwork, discipline, resilience and the value of perseverance.  How can we expect our children to thrive if they have no spaces or where they play, learn and grow are neglected?  No facilities, cracked courts, worn-out fields send a message that their growth and health are not a priority. The redevelopment of Mountjoy Square is a huge chance to show them that the opposite is true. Dublin City Council shouldn't miss the open goal!

We, the undersigned, call on the Irish Government, Transport for Ireland (TFI), and public transport operators — including Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, Luas, and Irish Rail — to update and standardise current rules to allow dogs on public transportation in a safe and regulated way. At the moment, the rules are inconsistent and often restrictive. They differ from one operator to another and do not meet the needs of thousands of citizens, families, workers, and responsible dog owners. This creates daily challenges and prevents many people from using public transport. Many European countries already allow dogs on buses, trams, and trains under simple and effective regulations such as: • mandatory lead • muzzle if required • reduced‑fare or free pet tickets • peak‑hour limitations only when necessary Introducing clear and modern rules would bring significant benefits, including: • reduced car usage • improved access to public transport • better inclusion for families and individuals living with pets • alignment with European standards • promotion of a more pet‑friendly society We therefore request the introduction of a uniform national policy allowing dogs to travel on public transport across Ireland, in a way that ensures the safety and comfort of all passengers. By signing this petition, you support a more modern, accessible, and pet‑friendly Ireland.

It is important to reconsider ban for E-Scooter as it poses immediate danger to its operators and drivers, pedestrians around them. A lot of underage people put themselves in danger by using E-Scooters in public, statistics show recent raise in accident cases. E-Scooters are very unsafe, fast and unstable, especially if used by inexperienced persons and in crowded towns or on busy public roads.

Reduce traffic congestion and encourage use of public transport 

We need a safer road and pedestrian access to Athenry town.

This busy stretch of road is a daily hazard for families, children, and elderly residents. Every morning and afternoon, dozens of schoolchildren and parents with strollers must cross here to reach nearby schools and crèches, with no safe, marked crossing in place. Vehicles speed through without clear signals to stop, putting lives at risk. We've already raised this issue in a formal letter earlier this year, but action is overdue – incidents are waiting to happen, and we can't afford to wait any longer. A simple pedestrian crossing would: • Enhance road safety for vulnerable pedestrians, reducing the risk of accidents. • Promote healthier lifestyles by encouraging walking and cycling in our community. • Support environmental goals by making sustainable travel options more accessible and appealing. Wicklow County Council has a responsibility to prioritize community safety and infrastructure improvements. We urge you to act now: conduct a site assessment, allocate the necessary resources, and install this crossing without delay. We're ready to participate in any consultations, surveys, or meetings to make this happen.

Why Keeping the Lights Matters 1. Pedestrian Safety Must Come Before Traffic Flow Roundabouts are designed primarily for vehicle efficiency—not pedestrian protection. At this junction, children walk daily to local schools and to the Little Harvard crèche. Signal-controlled crossings give them a guaranteed safe moment to cross, something a roundabout cannot provide without significant additional infrastructure. Traffic lights create clear, predictable stopping points, while roundabouts rely on driver judgement—something that is far less reliable when young children are crossing. 2. A Roundabout Increases Risk for Children and Vulnerable Users At busy multi-directional roundabouts: Cars are constantly moving. Gaps in traffic can be hard to judge, especially for children. Drivers often fail to yield to pedestrians at informal crossings. Replacing traffic lights with a roundabout would remove the only guaranteed safe crossing facility at this location and expose young pedestrians to unnecessary risk. 3. Controlled Signals Reduce Speed—Roundabouts Do Not The current lights naturally slow traffic and force vehicles to stop. A roundabout, even when designed well, encourages continuous movement and can lead to vehicles entering too quickly. With houses, schools, bus stops, and footpaths all nearby, lower speeds mean fewer and less severe accidents. Preserving the lights keeps speeds predictable and manageable. 4. Minor Traffic Delays Are Not Worth a Potential Injury or Fatality While some motorists are frustrated by waiting a few extra minutes at peak times, this inconvenience is insignificant compared to the safety provided by controlled pedestrian crossings. A slightly quicker commute cannot be valued above a child’s life. Traffic lights provide structure, clarity, and protection. Roundabouts prioritise flow—not safety. --- Why This Approach Serves the Community Best This area is expanding rapidly, with more families, more young children, and more pedestrian activity than ever before. Keeping and upgrading the traffic lights ensures: A safer route to school. Clear protection for pedestrians. Better accessibility for all residents. A transport layout that prioritises people, not just vehicles. We should expect a road system that safeguards our children—not one that encourages faster driving simply to reduce delays.