Catering services were removed from the Sligo-Dublin train at the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic, and despite assurances given by Irish Rail that they were to be restored to all Intercity services by the end of 2024 at the latest, they remain suspended.   The catering cart provides much needed refreshment and sustenance to individuals and families travelling on the 216km long journey which takes over 3-hours.   This is especially the case for people travelling from Sligo to Dublin on the early train, which departs Sligo at 05:40, before local shops and cafes open, and the last train from Dublin which arrives at 22:35, after they have closed.   A significant number of passengers utilising the rail service are elderly, or are travelling, often with children, in order to attend medical appointments. For these people, the absence of a catering cart represents a negative experience that exceeds inconvenience, and compromises the accessibility and quality of service on offer. https://www.uplift.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/MyUplift-banner-politician-SVG.svg

We have been informed that both Buncrana and Letterkenny Fire Services are facing a drastic reduction in resources. This includes the removal of our second fire engine, a significant cut in crew numbers, and, in the case of Letterkenny, the loss of the vital water tanker and incident command vehicle. These resources are essential for effectively responding to emergencies and ensuring the safety of both the public and our firefighters. The decision to implement these cuts has been presented to us as a fait accompli, with management stating that the changes will proceed regardless of our concerns. We were told, "if you don't like it, take us to court." This dictatorial approach is deeply disrespectful and undermines the vital role we play in protecting our community. We are particularly troubled by the justification given for these cuts. We are being told that these reductions are a consequence of firefighters seeking a better work-life balance. While we firmly believe in the importance of work-life balance for all workers, including firefighters, we refuse to accept that the safety of our community should be compromised as a result. It is unconscionable to punish firefighters for seeking reasonable working conditions, and, more importantly, to punish the public by diminishing the emergency services they rely upon. These cuts will have a devastating impact. Fewer firefighters and fewer resources mean slower response times, increased risk to both firefighters and the public, and a diminished ability to effectively handle complex emergencies. The loss of the water tanker in Letterkenny, for example, will severely hamper our ability to fight fires, especially in areas with limited water supply.

To make the Cleveragh area more safe and accessible for everyone. So that we can all access the beautiful surrounds and facilities safely.  

This will be an important resource for local fitness & possibly allow us to organise a weekly park run.

Ireland has some of the highest taxi fares in the world, making everyday transport unaffordable for most people. While other countries have embraced true ride-sharing services like Uber and Bolt to provide competition and lower prices, Ireland continues to ban them—forcing people to rely on overpriced taxis. Instead of allowing innovation, authorities have used sting operations to catch and prosecute individuals offering more affordable ride-sharing options. Meanwhile, the so-called "ride-sharing" apps available in Ireland are nothing more than traditional taxis with a different label, charging extra fees for app bookings.

We know what needs to be done to protect children from the horrific harms of climate breakdown - urgent cuts wherever possible to the pollution causing the climate crisis. This must include aviation, which is using record levels of fossil fuel and holding back climate action, even as the odds for children's futures worsen. Despite airlines polluting at higher levels and climate threats for children worsening, an aggressive campaign by vested interests has resulted in a Government commitment to disregard the harmful impacts and support lifting the Dublin Airport passenger cap. (The ‘cap’ currently allows for a colossal 32 MILLION passengers each year.)  As it is, the massive pollution from international aviation is currently not being tackled in our national climate efforts. If the cap was lifted, it would mean not only would the aviation sector continue failing to contribute to the national climate efforts kids are counting on, they'd be INCREASING their harmful pollution even more. Stand up for kids, and sign our petition to Government calling for the passenger cap at Dublin Airport to remain in place. Ireland is using more aviation fossil fuel than ever before - 1.36 billion litres in 2023 alone. Our children’s futures are being irreversibly harmed due to a failure to cut harmful global warming pollution - they face malnutrition, increased danger from more extreme weather events, and economic harm. Every fraction of a degree of global warming matters. Increasing flights via a lifting of the cap, means massive increases in fossil fuel use and pollution. Keeping the cap means responsibly protecting against even greater levels of fossil fuel pollution. Unprecedented and apparently unlawful levels of flight traffic at Dublin Airport are already reported to be causing harm. Schools and communities under flight paths have reported negative impacts on the education, sleep, well-being and home lives of children due to intolerable levels of noise pollution. All children have a fundamental right to rest, play and learn. Keeping the cap means putting communities, families and children before harmful industry expansion and pollution. Flying is the most climate-harming form of travel there is, and in Ireland we’re already flying  almost double the amount of our European neighbours. Most of this is for leisure, and very likely more money is being taken out of the country via outgoing tourism than coming in. Nor are any apparent efforts being made to limit reckless private jet use or frequent flyer incentives. We know that the more the climate crisis escalates the more harm will be done - and our kids will pay the price. We’ve seen in recent weeks, with Storm Eowyn, the horrifying damage extreme weather events cause. We urgently need every sector to do its part to help protect kids from the harms ahead. Keeping the cap means a step towards Irish aviation responsibly contributing to the essential climate action all children are counting on.  Stand up for kids, and sign our petition to Government calling for the passenger cap at Dublin Airport to remain in place - aviation must start doing its fair share for kids’ futures.

We commend all of the people who have worked tirelessly to repair our electricity network after the destructive Storm Éowyn, but we were shocked to hear the CEO of ESB Networks warning that the cost of these repairs would be passed on to customers through electricity price hikes. People across Ireland are already struggling to afford their electricity bills. So many of us are struggling to make ends meet – further electricity price hikes will push so many of us to the brink. The ESB has plenty of money – its operating profit for the first six months of 2024 was €446 million. Let the electricity companies foot the bill for storm repairs – not the people of Ireland.

The Need for Safer Roads and Access to Sports Facilities for TETNS Students.  As a community, we value the well-being, safety, and education of our children. The lack of access to safe sports facilities and the perilous routes students take to reach them is a pressing concern that requires immediate attention.  Every day, over 2,200 students and families use Dublin Road, Athenry Road, and Frank Stockwell Road to get to and from school. This poses a significant risk to their safety, as these roads are congested with all manner of vehicles, including cars, buses, tractors, and lorries.  The situation is particularly alarming for our children in Tuam Educate Together NS, who must walk over 3km to and from Tuam Stars GAA Club to access sports pitches. This not only puts them at risk of injury or worse but also limits their opportunities for physical activity, socialization, and team-building through sport.  Moreover, students from Junior Infants upwards are forced to cross the busy Dublin Road every week to reach the Tusla Hall for PE classes and assemblies. This is a hazardous journey that requires constant vigilance and can be a major deterrent to our children's participation in physical education and extracurricular activities.  By signing this petition, we are calling on the Minister for Education Helen McEntee and the Department of Education to provide safe access to adjacent sports facilities and pitches for TETNS students. This is not just a matter of convenience or comfort; it's a critical aspect of our children's overall well-being, education, and development.  We believe that all children have the right to:  • Safe and convenient access to sports facilities and pitches  • Adequate physical education and extracurricular activities to promote their health, wellbeing, and social skills  • A safe and healthy environment in which to grow and develop  By supporting this petition, we are advocating for a fundamental change that will benefit not just our children but the entire Tuam community. We urge you to join us in demanding safer roads, better sports facilities, and a healthier future for all of us.

Adolescents, more than adults, are in their crucial developmental stage. They stand to gain even more from the physical, mental, and environmental advantages offered by the bike-to-school initiative. This is a unique opportunity to facilitate healthier lifestyles and contribute to our fight against climate change, particularly when biking facilities are underused during school hours.

The 145 bus route is an essential transport link for the UCD community, providing direct access from Heuston Station to campus. Its removal jeopardises the ability of students, staff, and other UCD members to easily and affordably access the university. Many students rely on this route as their primary means of commuting, and without it, they face increased travel times, additional costs, and greater barriers to participating in campus life. By joining this campaign, you are standing up for fair access to education and work, as well as for better public transport. Whether you use the bus or not, the loss of this route affects the entire UCD community and will have a knock-on impact on other users of public transport in Dublin City Centre.

Statistics from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry indicate that over 50% of new petrol and diesel cars, bought in 2023, were SUVs [1]. According to the Financial Times, sales of SUVs in Ireland have risen dramatically and are now amongst the highest in the EU [2]. These vehicles, largely driven in urban areas, contribute disproportionately to greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and traffic congestion. Their larger size and weight result in increased fuel consumption and road wear, further exacerbating these issues. Their electric counterparts, due to their excessive size are contributing to global shortages of critical metals such as lithium, causing significant environmental degradation & reshaping global politics. Crash data from Belgium from 2017 to 2021 also shows that a 10cm increase in the height of vehicle fronts raises the risk of death by 30% when a car hits a pedestrian or cyclist, according to a study by the Vias Institute, previously the Belgian Institute for Road Safety [3]. In Europe, the average width of new passenger cars increased by about 10 cm since the early 2000s, while average weight has climbed by over 200 kg[4]. By imposing an additional VRT on the sale of non-commercial heavy vehicles, we can encourage manufacturers to stop increasing the size of their cars, and incentivize consumers to choose more environmentally friendly options, such as smaller, more fuel-efficient cars or public transportation. This would help to reduce our carbon footprint, meet our legally binding climate targets and improve air quality. A higher VRT on heavy non-commercial vehicles is a necessary and effective measure to protect our environment and promote sustainable transportation and public health improvements. “The Irish transport system is car dependent by design, is high in greenhouse gas emissions and does not support improved well-being.” — OECD 2022 report Public Health Risks: Cancer and Air Pollution Exhaust fumes from petrol and diesel vehicles are a major source of air pollution, particularly nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and particulate matter (PM), both of which have been linked to serious health conditions. The World Health Organization classifies diesel exhaust as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning it is a known cause of cancer in humans, particularly lung cancer. Children, the elderly, and those with existing health conditions are especially vulnerable. SUVs, due to their larger engines and higher fuel consumption, emit more pollutants than smaller vehicles. Reducing the number and size of these vehicles on our roads could significantly decrease pollution-related illnesses and healthcare costs, while improving overall public health—especially in densely populated urban areas. Promoting Equity: By taxing non-commercial vehicles that disproportionately contribute to emissions, a sales weight tax could create a more equitable system where the costs of environmental damage are more fairly distributed between urban and rural dwellers. This could free up resources for other groups such as farmers to be rewarded for investing in sustainable practices.

The use of these super bright headlights will if not already cause severe accidents and possibly loss of life.