Our local businesses, environment and democracy are under threat from a trade deal currently being negotiated between the EU Commission and the USA. The deal is called TTIP and could outlaw local authorities’ support of local businesses, allow multinational corporations to sue us if councils deny fracking permits and open up services like water, health and education to privatisation. What’s up for grabs are the rules and regulations that force corporations to abide by standards that protect our health, our rights, our jobs, services and the environment. These regulations for example stop corporations releasing chemicals and products into the market before they are proven to be safe. They also make sure workers get their rights and that local communities are protected from environmental disasters. But if TTIP goes ahead corporations will get to have a say on policies that govern our daily lives - before we or even politicians get to see them. And if they don’t like the rules they will be able to sue governments when they make changes or bring in new policies that could potentially affect their profits. Right now in Canada a fracking company Lone Pine Resources Inc., is suing the government for its decision to not allow fracking in Quebec. They are able to do this because of an ISDS clause in another trade deal. In Egypt the government was sued by water company Veolia for attempting to bring in a minimum wage. Germany is being sued by Swedish energy company Vatenfall for €4.7 billion because of Germany's decision to phase out nuclear power. TTIP also removes barriers to US companies who want to sell their products in Europe. Right now the sale of US beef in Europe is very limited. Hormone injected beef is banned outright. Hundreds of councils across Europe have already said they don’t want TTIP. Because of people power politicians are waking up to the threat TTIP poses and to the fact that people aren’t going to stand aside and let our democracy and rights be sold off.

Ireland has one of the lowest levels of public funding and support for arts and culture in all of Europe. Successive Irish governments claim to honour and take pride in our rich cultural heritage, celebrated artists and world-class artistic achievements but consistently fail to nurture and support the creative community. The Arts, Culture and Heritage communities have suffered disproportionately under the last government. The impact in the sector, on jobs, community and education as well as on our international reputation has not been assessed in any credible way by the incoming government. We demand a) an independent adequately resourced Department is created b) a commitment to raising funding the arts, cultural and heritage sector to European average of 0.6% c) publication of a national cultural policy that has the endorsement of the community. CÉN FÁTH A BHFUIL SÉ SEO TÁBHACHTACH? As na tíortha uile san Aontas Eorpach, cuireann Éire an méid is lú maoinithe agus tacaíochta poiblí ar fáil do na healaíona agus don chultúr.. Bíonn Rialtas i ndiaidh Rialtas sa tír ag maíomh as an mbród agus as an mórtas a bhíonn orthu as saibhreas ár n-oidhreacht cultúir, as ár n-ealaíontóirí iomráiteacha agus as ár sár-ghaiscí ealaíne ach, ag an am céanna, déanann siad faillí orthu siúd atá ag gabháil do na healaíona, gan cóir ná tacaíocht ceart a chur ar fáil dóibh. Tá na pobail atá ag gabháil do na healaíona, don chultúr agus don oidhreacht tar éis fulaingt as cuimse faoin rialtas deireanach. Níl aon mheasúnú sásúil déanta ag an rialtas atá tagtha i gcumhacht ar an tionchar a bhí aige seo ar an earnáil, ó thaobh fostaíochta de, ó thaobh an phobail agus an oideachais de ná ó thaobh ár gcáil go hidirnáisiúnta. Táimid ag éileamh a) go gcruthófar Roinn neamhspleách a mbeidh dóthain acmhainní tugtha di; b) gealltanas go n-ardófar maoiniú earnáil na n-ealaíon, an chultúir agus na hoidhreachta go dtí meán-chaiteachas na hEorpa, 0.6% den OTI; agus c) go bhfoilseofar polasaí cultúir náisiúnta a mbeidh tacaíocht an phobail aige.

CE Supervisors STILL have no pension. In July 2008, the Labour Court recommended that an agreed pension scheme should be introduced for Community Employment (CE) scheme supervisors, to be funded by FÁS, the agency responsible for CE at that time, but now with the Department of Social Protection. Yet CE Supervisors STILL have no pension.There are people who have worked 20 years or more as CE supervisors, who have supported and trained thousands of people to find good jobs, while 8 years after that Labour Court ruling, there is still no pension for them. This shocking when you consider that it is the Department of Social Protection that funds all Community Employment schemes and supervisors. It is time to take action on that Labour Court ruling. So we ask the incoming Minister of Social Protection to step up and put a pension plan in place for CE Supervisors. Don't put it off any longer....

Over 16,000 businesses and organisations have used JobBridge interns since the scheme began 5 years ago. These include: the HSE (399 interns), the GAA (249 interns), Teagasc (184 interns), UCD (also 184), Hewlett-Packard (176) and a number of county councils. All this points towards an endemic level of exploitation which has permeated every sector of employment and even includes unionised workplaces. All employers and the State must commit to a minimum, and really, a living wage of €11.50 an hour, instead of exploiting the unpaid labour of JobBridge interns.

While retailers across Europe make enormous profits from the sale of store brand (own brand) orange juice, the majority of workers and farmers who harvest and process the fruit and its juice live in bitter poverty. Orange juice production is also utterly destructive to the environment; the industry is characterised by excessive use of pesticides.

Making sure that all workers are paid at least the living wage of €11.45 per hour will create a better standard of living for all people. It will reduce poverty, boost local economies and ensure an inclusive society for all people. For more info on fair working conditions, visit: http://www.ictu.ie/charter/

Twelve percent of the population of Ireland are migrants, of whom so many have the right to vote. Migrants bring enterprise and initiative, and in order to actively participate in Irish society, migrants must be visible in all spheres of Irish life and be represented proportionally to our number in the Irish population in all decision making processes. Irish political actors have done little or nothing to reach out to immigrants during elections. Integration has dropped off the radar and from the programmes of all political parties. A diverse republic needs inclusive politics and institutions that reflect the composition of a diverse society. Government bodies and local authorities need to do much more to engage with immigrant communities. We, the Migrant-Led Coalition, are calling on all politicians and candidates to sign up to our election manifesto and pledge to represent the needs of their migrant constituents.

Our local businesses, environment and democracy are under threat from a trade deal currently being negotiated between the EU Commission and the USA. The deal is called TTIP and could outlaw local authorities’ support of local businesses, allow multinational corporations to sue us if councils deny fracking permits and open up services like water, health and education to privatisation. What’s up for grabs are the rules and regulations that force corporations to abide by standards that protect our health, our rights, our jobs, services and the environment. These regulations for example stop corporations releasing chemicals and products into the market before they are proven to be safe. They also make sure workers get their rights and that local communities are protected from environmental disasters. But if TTIP goes ahead corporations will get to have a say on policies that govern our daily lives - before we or even politicians get to see them. And if they don’t like the rules they will be able to sue governments when they make changes or bring in new policies that could potentially affect their profits. Right now in Canada a fracking company Lone Pine Resources Inc., is suing the government for its decision to not allow fracking in Quebec. They are able to do this because of an ISDS clause in another trade deal. In Egypt the government was sued by water company Veolia for attempting to bring in a minimum wage. Germany is being sued by Swedish energy company Vatenfall for €4.7 billion because of Germany's decision to phase out nuclear power. TTIP also removes barriers to US companies who want to sell their products in Europe. Right now the sale of US beef in Europe is very limited. Hormone injected beef is banned outright. Hundreds of councils across Europe have already said they don’t want TTIP. Because of people power politicians are waking up to the threat TTIP poses and to the fact that people aren’t going to stand aside and let our democracy and rights be sold off.

This issue affects thousands of Ukrainians in Ireland who work full-time, pay taxes, and contribute to society every day. Many workers in hospitality, retail, and service industries are employed on variable-hour contracts with unpaid breaks, making it difficult to meet the proposed income threshold despite being fully employed. Residency pathways should reflect real working conditions in Ireland. People who work legally, support the economy, and contribute to their communities should not be excluded because of unrealistic income calculations. This campaign is about fairness, stability, and protecting hardworking people who are trying to build a future in Ireland.

On 24 April 2026, a member of the Connolly Youth Movement was sacked by Tesco on the basis that she “visited other Tesco Stores … on a number of occasions … [and] interfered with the running of those stores by distracting colleagues away from their work.” Our member is also a member of the Independent Workers Union and was the Shop Steward for her workplace at St Finbarr's Tesco Express, having recruited a number of her co-workers into the union. In her own personal time, she went to other Tesco stores and spoke to other Tesco workers about their workplace issues, to see if they were having similar issues to her and her co-workers in St Finbarr's. Shortly after this, our member was dismissed by Tesco for trade union activity, which is illegal in Ireland. She is currently appealing the decision and we need your support to call on Tesco to stop union busting! 

Banning or strictly regulating **TikTok Live in Ireland is important because it poses serious social, financial, and safety risks, particularly to children and young people. First, TikTok Live promotes the idea of easy money, encouraging people to beg online rather than develop skills, education, or a work ethic. This creates long-term harm by normalising dependency instead of productivity. Second, there is no transparency or accountability around gifting: • Who is sending money? • Why are they sending it? • Where is the money coming from? • What is expected in return after gifts are sent? This lack of clarity opens the door to financial exploitation, manipulation, and inappropriate influence, especially involving minors and vulnerable individuals. Third, TikTok Live exposes children to unsafe interactions, including pressure, grooming risks, and emotional manipulation. Young users may feel encouraged to perform, beg, or behave inappropriately to receive money, which is harmful to their development and dignity. Finally, the long-term impact on society is serious. When a generation grows up believing that going live and receiving gifts is a replacement for honest work, it weakens social values, damages mental health, and increases future economic dependency. For these reasons, action is necessary to protect children, uphold social responsibility, and safeguard Ireland’s future generation

Backing this campaign is essential because the loss of youth workers and adventure centre staff positions affects every part of the community—not just the young people who rely directly on these services. 1. Protecting Young People’s Wellbeing Youth workers and Outdoor adventure staff provide early support that prevents small issues from becoming crises. Without them, more young people will struggle with challenges such as isolation, risk of substance missue, early school leaving, family and peer issues to name a few. 2. Keeping the Community Safe Strong youth services reduce crime, substance misuse, anti-social behaviour, and violence. When young people lose supportive adults and safe spaces, they are more likely to be drawn into harmful environments. Investing in youth support is investing in a safer community for everyone. 3. Reducing Pressure on Schools, Police, and Health Services Cuts to preventative services don't make problems disappear—they simply shift them onto already overstretched systems. Schools, GPs, emergency services, and social workers will face higher demand. Backing the campaign helps prevent these services from becoming overwhelmed. 4. Strengthening Families Many families depend on youth workers and outdoor adventure staff for guidance, behaviour support, and crisis intervention. Removing these roles leaves parents without vital resources and increases family stress. Supporting this campaign helps keep families stable and supported.