Petition Update December 2020: In mid-December, we are going to deliver this petition and letters signed by both civil society groups from across the globe and members of the Houses of the Oireachtas urging Minister Eamon Ryan to support the granting of a money message from the Government so the Climate Emergency Bill can progress to committee stage as soon as possible. Petition Update September 2020: Not Here Not Anywhere has been campaigning to ban offshore drilling since 2017, and in that time we have seen progress and changes in government policy. In the 2020 Programme for Government agreed by Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, and Greens stated the following on oil and gas drilling "End the issue of new licenses for the exploration and extraction of gas, on the same basis as the recent decision concerning oil exploration and extraction" [1]. Now that Eamon Ryan is the Minister for Climate Action, he has the power to legislate and ban offshore oil and gas drilling outright. Recently, we submitted a Parliamentary question to find out when the legislation when going to be enacted. We got the below response from Minister Ryan "While there is no requirement for legislative underpinning, I and my Department will evaluate whether any further actions would be useful in terms of providing maximum clarity." [2]. We disagree with the Minister’s assessment, if the current government falls with no legislation passed it could lead to future licenses been issued under a new administration. Also, if legislation was passed it would be a major victory for the climate movement both in Ireland and globally and we would be joining other countries around the world which have shown this climate leadership [3]. We need to shed our climate laggard status, legislate to ban offshore oil and gas drilling, and KEEP IT IN THE GROUND. Original petition: On 11th July, just one week after onshore fracking was banned in Ireland, Minister of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten, granted consent to oil & gas drilling by Providence Resources PLC in the Porcupine Basin off our south-west coast [4]. They expect to find 5 billion barrels of oil [5]. In an Orwellian twist, a “Department of Climate Action” has allowed for the burning of 5 billion barrels of oil when international climate experts state that 80% of the known fossil fuels have to stay in the ground if we want to avoid going over the safe 2 degrees limit of global warming [6]. Any investment in fossil fuel industry and infrastructure will result in what is known as “carbon lock-in”, taking us on a one-way unstoppable trip to dangerous levels of global warming that threaten global health and eco-systems [7]. Oil and gas exploration is also deadly for Ireland’s unique dolphin, whale and porpoise population [8] and plankton, the basis of the marine ecosystem [9]. Yet, Minister Naughten has refused to confirm if drilling will stop if a threat to the population is found [10]. We call on Minister Naughten to retract the Providence Resources permit immediately. Furthermore, we call on the Minister to follow the lead of France [11] and ban all new oil and gas exploration in Irish waters. We need to halt all dead investments in the fossil fuel industry and prepare a just transition to an economy that can provide workers with real, sustainable long-term jobs that can provide for their families and their future [12]. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [1]https://www.greenparty.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2020-06-15-ProgrammeforGovernment_Corrected-Final-Version.pdf [2]https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2020-09-15/162/#pq_162 [3]https://www.looptt.com/content/new-zealand-next-list-ban-offshore-drilling [4] http://www.independent.ie/business/world/providence-resources-commences-drilling-off-the-southwest-coast-of-ireland-35921724.html [5] http://www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/amp/news/180745 [6] http://www.carbontracker.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Unburnable-Carbon-Full-rev2-1.pdf [7]http://priceofoil.org/2016/09/22/the-skys-limit-report/ [8] http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/energy/2014/02/140228-atlantic-seismic-whales-mammals/ [9] https://www.theverge.com/2017/6/23/15861932/offshore-drilling-airgun-seismic-surveys-zooplankton-death-oceans [10] https://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2017-02-07a.382 [11]http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/france-ban-new-oil-gas-exploration-stop-granting-licences-macron-hulot-renewable-energy-drive-a7806161.html [12] http://www.impact.ie/climate-change-workers-communities-must-protected-just-transition-carbon-free-economy-says-impact/

In 2014 Sara Morris, spokeswoman for the National Transport Authority, advised of the allocation of €50,000 for the provision of additional bike parking to Galway City Council. Three years later, on the first day of National Bike Week 2017, Galway City is still massively lacking in the provision of bicycle parking with no evidence of where that money was spent. To date, there are still less than 200 bicycle parking stands in Galway City. With a population of just under 80,000 people this is clearly an inadequate number of bicycle parking spaces for Ireland’s forth biggest city. Bicycle parking is an issue that affects all members of our community here in Galway; from blocking pedestrian and disability access on our streets and footpaths to contributing to an increased number of cars on our roads. The lack of bicycle parking is a something that is driving commuters into their cars unnecessarily. Congestion in the city centre is at an all time high with Galwegians spending more time sitting in traffic than drivers than any other city in Ireland. An increased reliance on cars for transportation is not only adding to the levels of pollution in the city but is also negatively impacting the health, safety and wellbeing of our citizens. Galway City Council themselves acknowledge, through their Park’n’Stride Campaign, that an increased reliance on bicycles as a form of transport would not only alleviate traffic congestion but would also improve the physical and mental health of the population by incorporating exercise into everyday activities such as commuting. On this year, 2017, that Galway holds the European Green Leaf designation and in the lead up to Galway 2020 when Galway will see an increase in tourism, An Mheitheal Rothar is calling on the above mentioned individuals to not just make a commitment, but to immediately take action to increase in bicycle parking for the city and the appointment of an new Cycling Officer within Galway City Council. If you would like to support this campaign please sign the petition and follow us on social media for more information. You can also share the petition using #bikeparkinggalway We would also encourage you to express your concerns to: • Thomas Connell - Galway City Council Director of Services for Transportation, Recreation and Amenity, Corporate Services ([email protected]); • Hugh Creegan - National Transport Authority Director of Transport Investment and Taxi Regulation, Deputy Chief Executive ([email protected]) ; • Cllr. John Walsh ([email protected] )- Chairman, GCC Transport Strategic Policy Committee; • Cllr. Noel Larkin – Mayor ([email protected]), GCC Transport Strategic Policy Committee. As part of Bike Week 2017, An Mheitheal Rothar also took to the streets to speak with some of Galway's cycling community about their thoughts on cycling in the city. Watch our video here: https://youtu.be/sBxkyiRxYv8

Our Elderly motorists present with their own problems of frailty and mobility concerns, not to mention fear. In general, medical eligibility for Disabled Blue Badge Holders excludes age as a factor, leaving Elderly people exposed. Providing designated parking bays at key locations in and around City &Town centres encourages greater equality, independence and community participation for our Elderly Community.

Ballon Village is located on the busy N80 which services traffic between Rosslare and Dublin/Waterford via the M9, as well as traffic driving to and from Carlow town. Resultant traffic includes a substantial volume of HGVs. Ballon also has a number of local industries with large motor fleets and agricultural vehicles. A significant Health and Safety issue now exists within this growing village and our greatest concern is the lack of safety at the school crossing at all times of the day. It is a concern which has come into increasing focus for the Ballon National School Parents Association following a number of near-miss incidents at the crossing during school hours, as drivers frequently pass through even when the Warden is in place. The current speed limit of 50km/h is routinely not observed and vehicles frequently fail to stop for the School Warden, putting the Warden's life and our children's lives at serious risk. Proposed Solutions: 1. As visibility of the School Warden and the Crossing is exceptionally poor, we propose that the Crossing is raised and traffic lights are added to assist the existing School Warden. 2. Interactive radar speed signs which indicate the speed of the vehicles to be placed on all access routes to the village. 3. Reduce speed limit to 30km/h for the school zone, identified with LED lighting signage to identify this new 30km zone. 4. Signage to alert to the presence of a pedestrian crossing. 5. Speed bumps at both approaches to the village on the N80 and also on the Fenagh road approach. 6. A maintenance plan for the upkeep of signage, road markings and lights.

MORE TRANSPORT LINKS NEEDED FOR CO LOUTH,TRAINS RUN THROUGH THE TOWN JUST NEED THEM TO STOP.

Bus Éireann is your bus company - owned by the Irish people, it is under massive attack from government, private competitors and sections of the media. Bus Éireann's current financial difficulties are the result of government policy which is being implemented by the National Transport Authority. Since 2011 the state subvention to Bus Éireann has been cut every year - last year it received just €34 million while Horse Racing Ireland received €60 million. Unless the government reverses its present policy, 2,500 jobs in Bus Éireann will be lost, with devastating results for workers and their families along with the hundreds of thousands of people around the country who depend on Bus Éireann to provide their transport needs. Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan will decide the future of your bus services. Let him know you want to ensure the survival of Bus Éireann and your local services. Let him know you support bus workers' rights and oppose cuts to pay and conditions.

Public transport is vital for the functioning of society and for the economy. This dispute needs to be resolved as soon as possible.

Our post office closed overnight on 26th January 2017. There was no notice, since then An Post put the contract out to tender to re-open a post office in the locality. An Post have now extended the deadline to apply until the 7th April, as they state they did not get enough level of interest. There is a fear that we will lose our post office permanently as the same happened to the post office on Vernon Avenue. People collecting social welfare payments, many with mobility problems have to travel to Marino in Fairview to collect their payments. There is no on street pedestrian crossing from the bus stop, but a difficult to manage over head bridge. This post office was an essential service especially in an area with a large number of older residents. It also provided a social outlet and is needed by all in the local community. Please write your own concerns or copy and paste this and email to An Post Retail Regional Office team; Phone: 01 705 7685 or 01 705 7682 email: [email protected]

We need your signature so we can present our case to the council, we need to show the magnitutue of support for reducing speeding in Longwood. Please sign and share the petition, thank you.

Cycling offers a wide range of benefits to our society including reducing carbon emissions, relieving congestion, improving health and making our towns safer, more pleasant places to live and move about. Unfortunately, the resources allocated to cycling at present are nowhere near sufficient to make it a safe and normal activity for people of all ages and abilities. Therefore, we are calling on Minister Ross to: 1.) Allocate at least 10% of the Transport Budget to cycling. 2.) Implement the National Cycle Policy Framework in full. 3.) Take action to reduce transport emissions so that Ireland fulfils its obligations under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

The metges road which runs through Johnstown in County Meath is a hazard to all residents. Well in excess of 50% of motor vehicles that use this road do so at a speed that is well in excess of the 50km/h limit. This dangerous practice is putting lives at risk. There have already been a number of very serious accidents on this road in recent years. Do we have to wait until someone is killed before something is done? The solution is simple. The council need to approve and construct speed ramps which match the height and width of the existing raised pedestrian crossings. I have approached the council about this before, but I believe they will only act if more people speak up. Can you help me get this message to the council?

This petition is concerning the main access road leading to St. Angela's College, Lough Gill Loop Road, Clogherevagh (L7428) Sligo. It is to highlight the dangerous bends, poor visibility, no road markings and the various structural defects of the road. With the large volume of traffic that use the Lough Gill Loop road, it is only a matter of time before there is an accident and someone is seriously injured. Please fill in the Safer Roads to St Angela's University questionnaire by clicking on the link below. Thank you https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSccYqEhJvZSK2Q0MnnBUGmsezwSPwzPJ54dUogBgtBsVFaDiA/viewform