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. 

AAA (Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm) is a dangerous, often symptomless, swelling in the main blood vessel (aorta) of the abdomen, primarily affecting men over 60–65. If the aorta weakens and bursts, it is frequently fatal, making early detection via a simple ultrasound screening crucial. In the UK the National Health Service (NHS) All men living in England are invited for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) ultrasound screening the year they turn 65 free of charge covered by the NHS In Ireland you have to arrange an AAA Ultrasound screening privately it is not automatically covered on the Medical Card service. In certain circumstances a GP could arrange one on the medical card if the GP deems it to be carried out but it is not done/checked as standard. One Private Provider of AAA screening in Ireland offers it at €170 with a discount for Medical Card Holders at €150 but prices do vary greatly depending on where you have the test carried out and can be more expensive. To find out more details of AAA visit wikipedia here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdominal_aortic_aneurysm To read about what the NHS UK offers to the general public read here: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/abdominal-aortic-aneurysm-screening/

Around 30,000 children have been killed in Gaza, along with thousands of teachers. Yet Allianz insures the munitions used by the Israeli military and has invested over €7 billion in Israeli government bonds, helping fund the ongoing assault. Parents should not have to worry that money paid to protect our children with the Pupil Personal Insurance  could contribute to the killing of other children. We cannot support a corporation like Allianz with so much blood on its hands. 

Petition Across Ireland, more than 150,000 households live in local authority housing, reflecting the social, cultural, and economic diversity of Irish society, while highlighting how housing status intersects with broader patterns of socio-economic inequality. Yet many feel excluded when decisions are made about their homes and neighbourhoods.   Formal recognition of tenants as residents within housing participation frameworks and service design would strengthen communication, support meaningful involvement in decisions, and reinforce dignity, respect, and inclusion. Ireland already has strong equality and human rights obligations under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014. This change does not require new legislation—it can be delivered through national guidance. Stronger communities are built when residents and housing services work together with a shared purpose.  We Call on Housing Minister James Browne TD to lead and encourage local authorities to formally recognise tenants as residents within housing participation frameworks and service design. Call to Action  Sign the petition to support residents voices in housing decisions. Why I Signed Recognition builds trust. Recognition strengthens relationships. Recognition improves communication. Recognition builds stronger communities.  Tenants are residents. Recognition is inclusion.

We recognise the vital work Women’s Aid Ireland does to support survivors of domestic abuse. However, its ongoing partnership with Allianz raises serious ethical concerns. Since 2021, Allianz has funded high-profile campaigns with Women’s Aid Ireland, including World’s Strongest Women, Dead Flower Shop, and Valentine’s initiatives promoting healthy relationships. This partnership, renewed in 2025, is set to continue until at least 2028, with approximately €1 million committed. Yet this funding appears largely directed toward awareness campaigns rather than frontline, life-saving services. This raises concerns that brand visibility is being prioritised over direct support for women and children in crisis. At the same time, Allianz has faced sustained criticism over financial links connected to Israel’s genocide  in Palestine. Reported concerns include: • Investments in Israeli government bonds linked to military activity • Financial involvement in companies supplying military and surveillance technology • Insurance coverage for companies engaged in military and security operations Meanwhile, the reality for women in Gaza is devastating: • Women and children make up the majority of those killed • Around one million women and girls have been displaced • Women are giving birth without safe medical care, clean water, or basic resources. Violence against women is not only personal — it is also shaped and sustained by political and economic systems. Continuing a partnership with a corporation linked to these concerns risks undermining the values of safety, dignity, and solidarity that Women’s Aid represents. We call on Women’s Aid Ireland to: • End its partnership with Allianz • Ensure all funding aligns with human rights and ethical principles • Stand consistently with women everywhere — including Palestinian women Solidarity must be universal. Women’s safety cannot be selective.

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! 

Yesterday the world, and our community, celebrated World Book Day. Our children dressed up as their favourite characters. We celebrated the important role of reading in development, in mental health, and in how we understand the world. Yet in Donabate, a rapidly expanding community, we have recently been severely downgraded in our library services. Our library was in the community centre. The library had something for everyone in the community: lots of colourful books for younger children, spaces for teenagers to study with friends or on their own, and a wide range of books for adults. In January the library was relocated to the old Credit Union building. The building itself is beautiful. But, unfortunately, the new library is 169 square metres — over 200 square metres smaller than the previous space. Now there is a lack of comfortable space for children to relax and read - the toys and art supplies have been removed. Secondary school students have also lost the space they used for studying, and adults of all reading tastes have seen a drastic decrease in selection. There was a general feeling in Donabate, with its rapidly expanding population, that the new library was to be an upgrade. However, there are now serious concerns that the community is losing significant library space in the short term, and it is completely unclear when the library will return to a size comparable to what it originally was — let alone when it will be appropriate for Donabate’s significantly increasing population. We understand that the new building is only Phase One, and that there is a planned Phase Two expansion to enlarge and enhance the library in the future. While we welcome any long‑term investment, planning & construction timelines for Phase Two are unclear.  There is serious concern it will take years to deliver. Our community — especially our children, young and old — needs a functioning, accessible, and appropriately sized library now, not at some distant point in the future. We are calling for Phase Two to be prioritised and accelerated, with interim solutions put in place immediately.

Our Concerns • The electric heating system is extremely expensive to run, leading to unusually high electricity bills for many residents. • Some residents are afraid to use the heaters due to the cost. • Others are forced to limit heating to 1–2 hours per day or limiting the heating to 1 room, which is not enough to keep homes warm. • The ventilation system blows cold air continuously, making it very difficult, and sometimes impossible to heat our apartments properly. • These issues create cold, uncomfortable living conditions, especially for families, older residents, and those with health conditions. What We Are Asking For We respectfully request that Respond Housing: 1. Assess the ventilation system to determine why cold air is continuously entering apartments. 2. Provide alternative, energy‑efficient heating solutions that are safe, effective, and affordable for residents. 3. Conduct an immediate review of the building’s heating and ventilation systems, including their design, operation, and impact on residents’ energy costs and comfort. Why This Matters Every resident has the right to a warm, safe, and energy‑efficient home. The current situation is causing financial strain, discomfort, and unnecessary stress. We are asking Respond Housing to take these concerns seriously and provide a clear plan of action. By signing below, we show our collective support for this request and ask Respond Housing to respond promptly.

1. Throwing books in the bin is an attack on intellectual freedom Books are not disposable objects — they are voices, ideas, experiences, and history. When books are dumped in waste bins, the community’s right to knowledge and individuals’ right to think freely are discarded with them. This undermines the spirit of Article 40.6.1 of the Irish Constitution, which protects freedom of expression and the circulation of ideas. 2. What happened sets a dangerous precedent If hundreds of books can be labelled “extremist” and thrown away without any academic or legal assessment, then any institution could dispose of any book it dislikes. Today it is jurisprudence and history; tomorrow it could be philosophy, politics, or literature. 3. The library was a major cultural and educational asset This was not a small collection. It was a multilingual library containing: • 10,000 Arabic books • 4,000 English books • Additional collections in several other languages This is an irreplaceable intellectual heritage. Losing it is a loss for the entire society. 4. Protecting books means protecting cultural diversity Ireland prides itself on being an inclusive and multicultural society. Destroying an entire library sends the opposite message: exclusion instead of inclusion. 5. The incident damages the credibility of cultural and religious institutions Communities expect institutions to safeguard knowledge, not dispose of it in rubbish bins. Restoring trust requires transparency, responsibility, and respect for written heritage.