The new ban on electric scooters on public transport is planned to be implemented in October, and will negatively affect thousands of commuters that rely heavily on these alternative modes of transportation for part of their journeys to and from Work.   A large number of commuters rely on Electric scooters to get to and from the train, bus, and other forms of public transport, on both sides of their journey. This means that they can leave the car at home and not contribute to private vehicle congestion in already congested areas.    Despite being considered an environmentally friendly and efficient commuting option, electric scooters will be banned on Public transport under new rules. The reason provided was that the lithium-ion batteries used by many electric scooters pose a fire hazard on board.   The lack of real consideration for commuters by the NTA will seriously limit mobility freedom for many citizens in suburban towns. This move also sends a negative message for people looking to move to more environmentally friendly transportation alternatives.   We urge the NTA to revisit this ban, and re-examine the risks associated with electric scooters on board, and implement any necessary mitigating controls on board rather than outright prohibition.   Your signature can promote the reconsideration of this ban. We ask you to support us for greener and more inclusive transportation alternatives. Please sign the petition.  

1. **Preservation of Community Investment:** The letter underscores the significant voluntary efforts made by Dermot Maguire and others in transforming the Garden, framing the request for CCTV and lighting as a necessary means to protect their hard work. 2. **Deterrent to Vandalism:** By emphasizing that the proposed measures would serve as a deterrent, the letter highlights the practical benefits of these investments in preventing future incidents. 3. **Enhancing Safety and Security:** The importance of public lighting and CCTV in creating a safe environment is stressed, making it clear that these additions would not only protect the Garden but also make it more welcoming to residents. 4. **Community Pride and Well-being:** The letter positions the Garden as a symbol of community pride, arguing that the Council’s support is crucial in maintaining this shared public asset for future generations.

Access to basic means of transportation is essential and in the context of rising traffic in the area and the city is fundamental for a modern and normal way of life for people going to work,study or getting to the city center 

1. Community Well-being: A community with sufficient recreational spaces is a healthier, more vibrant place to live. Playgrounds are not just for children; they foster community interaction and engagement among parents and families, creating a stronger sense of unity and belonging. 2. Child Development: Playgrounds are essential for children’s physical, cognitive, and social development. By supporting this campaign, you help provide our children with safe places to play, which are crucial for their growth and overall well-being. 3. Safety Concerns: Without adequate playgrounds, children are often forced to play in unsafe areas like streets and roads. By advocating for more play spaces, we can significantly reduce the risks associated with traffic and other hazards. 4. Reduce Screen Time: Many parents currently rely on electronic devices to keep their children occupied due to the lack of outdoor options. More playgrounds would encourage physical activity, reducing screen time and its associated health issues, such as poor vision and lack of exercise. 5. Long-term Community Benefits: Investing in playgrounds is an investment in our community’s future. It makes Dundalk a more attractive place for families, potentially increasing property values and local business patronage. 6. Support for Working Families: Many working parents struggle to find time and places for their children to play safely. More playgrounds can ease this burden, offering easily accessible locations for children to engage in healthy activities. By joining this campaign, you are not only advocating for the immediate needs of our children but also contributing to a brighter future for Dundalk. Together, we can create a community that prioritizes health, safety, and happiness for all its residents. Let’s make Dundalk a place where our children can thrive.

The residents of Bluebell Woods in Oranmore kindly request that the Carnmore test route no longer use this residential estate as part of the official route. Since the Carnmore test centre opened in 2021, our estate and the front green in particular has been used on a continuous basis both by the official RSA testers and by learners practicing the 'reverse around the corner' manoeuvre. While the tests themselves take place during weekday working hours, the learners are liable to practice at this location at all times of the evening and at weekends. We oppose the use of our estate for this test activity. The front green in particular is an unsafe location for the reverse around the corner, due to the frequent use of the green by children at play, and the poor visibility due to trees and shrubs at the corner. There is a risk to safety here, not only because a learner driver cannot have full and unrestricted visibility, but any pedestrians trying to cross the road at this intersection may not notice a car reversing until it is too late. Several of our residents have witnessed dangerous reversing and submitted complaints directly to the RSA, but have had either no response at all or the responses have been unsatisfactory. Therefore, we are gathering signatures to make this request as a community, with the safety of our children and residents in mind. We call upon the RSA in Galway to find an alternative route for the driving test. Note: Header image shows a snippet of the Carnmore driving test route from the Test Routes app. 

North Offaly is fast becoming the home of Green energy projects that are being constructed or planed in Ireland. The Yellow River Wind farm is a prime example of a project in the area. Locals objected to the Wind farm on the grounds that there was not adequate infrastructure in place to take on the increase in construction traffic. Ultimately the case was taken to the high court where the objection was refused. At the time local councilors promised the roads would be done before, maintained during and redone after construction of the wind farm. These promises ultimately proved to be empty. A few planned projects along the r400 or that will use the r400 for the majority of construction traffic: Yellow River Wind farm: https://www.sserenewables.com/onshore-wind/in-development/yellowriver/ Rhode Green Energy Park: https://www.offaly.ie/rhode-green-energy-park/ Bio-Mass Gassification Plant: https://www.offalyexpress.ie/news/home/632520/new-biomass-gasification-plant-set-to-be-constructed-in-offaly.html Battery Storage: https://www.offalyexpress.ie/news/home/550961/plans-unveiled-for-substantial-energy-storage-facility-in-offaly.html Clonin North Solar Farm: https://www.highfieldenergy.com/SolarProjects/clonin-north-solar-farm Oxigen Waste Management Facility: https://www.offalyindependent.ie/2023/11/09/controversial-waste-facility-in-north-offaly-gets-planning-approval/ Full report on Green energy within the area can be found: https://www.offaly.ie/green-energy-2/ This campaign is focused on finding the balance between these types of projects and ensuring that local residents are taken care of. Much of the local area around the r400 is not serviced by public transport and as such we rely on our cars and on the roads, which we pay for through our taxes. The r400 has been in a state for decades, the local council have failed to make it a priority, failed to hold the companies behind the large scale construction projects accountable for their use and they have failed all of us who have had to endure an unsafe, not fit for purpose, road. When questioned as to why the r400 has not seen improvements over the years Offaly County Council claim that there is not enough funding. The only way around the lack of funding on a local level, is for the road to be made a national road. That way it's reconstruction and maintenance funding, will come from the National Government. Please join us in calling for the National and local Government's to make the r400 a national road. 

People are struggling to get around because our footpaths are in such a state. This is an accessibility issue, and councils must take it more seriously.

This is a petition to erect a non-traffic light controlled pedestrian crossing on the Dublin Road between the Forge Estate entrance and the entrance to Chapel Farm.  This crossing currently only has sloped curbs, an island in the middle of the two flows of traffic on the road with no signage. This route is used daily by all residents of the Lusk community, including those travelling to preschools in the area with young children. The problem this crossing currently has is that traffic does not stop to let pedestrians cross safely and when there is no traffic at any given time and a pedestrian commences crossing, vehicles then come from the roundabout or Lusk Village direction at high speeds before the pedestrian gets a chance to cross safely. With the influx of new builds in the area there is an increase of young families now travelling to schools and preschools with their children and this crossing is currently unsafe for those children.

It's been revealed that the HSE has taken in more than €3.5 million in parking charges from Galway University Hospital and Portiuncula over the past four years. [1] It's disgraceful that people are paying such high costs for parking at a hospital. Those who are being treated for cancer or other long-term conditions bear the biggest burden of hospital parking charges – this is disgraceful and must change. Together, we call on the HSE to scrap parking charges for Galway University Hospital for patients with immediate effect so that people who are seeking healthcare can do so with dignity. [1] https://connachttribune.ie/hospitals-e3-5-million-profit-from-patient-parking-613/

The current state of motorists speeding on the road is an accident waiting to happen.  The 50km/hr speed limit is largely ignored, and the condition of the road-- a residential stretch of 2 km of road-- makes speed motorists an even more dangerous situation. Before someone is gravely injured or killed, make the road safe for everyone.

More and more people are looking for ways to avoid the slog of commuting through traffic in private cars or buses.  Cycling is a great alternative - fast, no charging neccessary and with health benefits too.  Dublin Bikes is a cheap, accessible scheme that gives people the option to cycle without owning a bike or having to maintain one.  Up to now it's been limited to between the Royal and Grand Canals - with earlier plans to expand the scheme shelved during the austerity years.  We want to see Dublin City Council expand the scheme so that people in Ballymun, Finglas, Santry, Glasnevin, Whitehall, Beaumont and further afield on the Northside can benefit from it too. 

Gaelscoil Inse Chór is an example of Dublin 8 being missed out for CHILD ROAD SAFETY measures because it is on 'an aerterial road'. Parents and families are fed up hearing the excuse of ‘aerterial road’ for failing to act on road safety near primary schools. When a pedestrian is hit at 50kmph they have a 50% chance of survival. If hit at 60kmph, it’s a 10% chance of survival!  Cars are speeding up Concolbert Road and South Circular Road at 60kmph near little primary school children huddled in fear, behind OVERGROWN bushes and missing crash barriers. The families of Gaelscoil Inse Chór have had enough! This is completely unacceptable!