This is an opportunity to acknowledge the wrongs perpuated by our State and those to whom it sub-contracted its responsibilities.

Intensive farms like the one currently planned for would mean up to 40,000 pigs would be confined indoors in overcrowded, barren concrete pens. The animals are often treated with antibiotics to keep them alive in such horrendous conditions, and their waste contains ammonia which causes respiratory problems in humans and pollutes sensitive natural habitats. According to the Bureau for Investigative Journalism, Co Tyrone has the fifth highest number of indoor reared livestock in the UK, with Co Antrim placed at eighth. The two counties have a combined total of 13.5 million animals reared indoors.

Celebrate our female saint with a day off for all the amazing health workers and the rest of us!

Under the new Work Placement Experience Programme, bosses are able to get free labour, with workers only receiving €3.43 an hour paid by the taxpayer. Not only does this undermine wages and conditions for existing workers, it blocks the creation of actual paid jobs by incentivising companies to use free labour instead. Instead of this exploitation, we need public investment in a green jobs programme, creating decent, secure jobs building carbon-neutral homes, providing healthcare and education and improving other public services. Such a programme should also involve expanding genuine paid apprenticeship schemes, and opening up education by making it free to all.

While thousands in the public sector continue to rightfully stage protests and demand fair treatment, compensation for their collective efforts and hard work throughout the pandemic, and much deserved recognition, thousands in the private Security (Static Security Officers, Patrol Drivers, Camera Operators, Retail Officers, Door Guards) remain vastly under- appreciated and unrecognised. At the height of the pandemic employers were quick to send out official letters explaining how all of their security officers and employees were in fact essential front line staff. Yet aside from making sure workers reported for duty unimpeded by government sanctioned lock downs, security officers have not been allotted the respect and treatment befitting of a front line worker, despite having continued to work uninterrupted through the Covid pandemic. Those of us in the security sector have not had a raise in nearly three years. We continue to work erratic hours, long shifts, and for low wages. Dealing directly with the public, guarding businesses, protecting staff, enduring abuse and lawlessness, monitoring premises and patrolling properties, ceasingly since March (2020). Just as health care workers, Garda, and retail workers have diligently worked. The difference being, whereas other sectors have been lauded with praise and talks of bonuses, there is absolutely no mention of security staff. In the spirit of fairness, equality and gratitude, we would like to be officially recognised for our efforts and contributions in one of the most diverse and inclusive sectors in the country.

No Irish child should leave school without being able to cook for themselves. Otherwise, we are undeniably, failing in our duty of care to our young people. When you teach someone how to cook, you give them a gift that will forever enhance their lives. Our food choices affect our energy, vitality, ability to concentrate. Food affects our mental and physical health and is at the heart of the fight to tackle the climate crisis.

Every year we throw away millions of tonnes of plastic - it never disappears, but breaks down into tiny pieces which finds its way into our rivers, seas, soils and air. Here in Northern Ireland 8 out of ten of the most found items on beaches in Northern Ireland were made of plastic. As the plastic breaks down into tiny pieces it’s consumed by marine animals, and scientists have found evidence that we are ingesting it through the food chain. Photo: A grey seal entangled in plastic, photographed by DAERA (2019)

This Medically Supervised Injection Facility (MSIF) has the potential to save lives from overdose and connect vulnerable and marginalised people to vital treatment and social services. Multiple studies across the world have demonstrated the life-saving benefits of MSIFs. Moreover, through connecting at-risk people to social services and reducing drug litter, these facilities benefit the whole community. Establishing safe injection centres are also a more efficient use of public money, given the high treatment cost of disease linked to unsafe needle-sharing. A green light for this facility in Cork would be a vital step towards a more health-led approach to addiction, in recognition of the value of the lives lost annually through overdose.

This is another attempt of forcing something that nobody asked for and is not required. There is currently a similar set up of equipment and resurfacing in Malahide Demesne, Robswall and Seabury. - The Village Green, New Street, and the attempts of the 'sky walk' and paving Bridgefield are examples of the previous rail-roading that has been attempted or achieved in the past. It is not a requirement to have every single green area laden with rubber mats and metal equipment. When there are so many projects being forced up on us without any discussion, it is time to point out how important a discussion is. Please help stop the attempt of this going ahead by asking for it to be halted until there is more discussion.

This is so important as the words "Child porn" in no way describe what is actually being done against children

As residents of Newbridge are aware the current infrastructure in Newbridge is negatively impacting our lives. A second bridge is vital to support the continued growth of housing and business in our town and funding must be put in place immediately to get this vital infrastructure completed as soon as possible. Our elected representatives must prioritise a second bridge for Newbridge as a matter of urgency.

Only 7.5% of schools here are integrated schools - bringing together children from all backgrounds - Catholic, Protestant and other. All integrated schools here have been fought for and demanded by parents. But this bill could really change things. It would ensure that every new school opened in Northern Ireland from now on is integrated. And it would strengthen the Department for Education's legal duty, requiring the Minister to be held to account for their performance in promoting integrated education. But some parties want to water the bill down. If we flood the consultation with responses, we can make sure that doesn't happen. Photo: Belfast Live