John O'Dowd blaming the British government and "competing work interests" for not being able to pedestrianise a popular street for night-life is as embarrassing as it is ridiculous. On the same day as he announced the decision to put the pedestrianisation of Hill Street on hold, his department started work on repaving the Sydenham by-pass at the cost of £3.8 million.  Why is Minister O'Dowd prioritising roads over people? It's time for him to pedestrianise Hill Street now!

Holy Family is a vital cornerstone of the community, playing a central role in the lives of local families.  The current conditions jeopardise both the children's health and ability to learn. Without urgent attention, these issues will only worsen, further compromising the wellbeing of the pupils and staff. 

Bus Éireann should increase its bus service in Cork to accommodate the city’s population growth, urban expansion, and evolving transportation needs.  As Cork continues to grow, public transport must keep pace to prevent traffic congestion, reduce environmental impact, and improve accessibility for all.

It is a unacommadating service. Nobody should be left standing in the rain for another hour, or another two hours depending on destination because of inadequate capacity. 

The evidence regarding the detrimental impact of unregulated access to the internet and social media on our children and young people is overwhelming. It is an evolving youth mental health crisis which is a societal challenge and requires leadership and political will to address. In the words of Prof. Matthew Sadlier (Chair of the Irish Medical Organisation Consultants Committee) at the Gen Free launch in Greystones on Sept 17th, “The radical changes in behaviour of children that we have seen since the introduction of immersive digital technology is having an overwhelming harmful effect”. Legislation is urgently needed and our campaign is now giving a clear call to action. Let’s make our voices heard and protect children online. The time is now Page 65 on the recently issued 2025 Programme for Government "Investing in our Future" has outlined commitments regarding Online Safety. We call on the government to action these commitments as a matter of priority and urgency. We must hold our government and elected representatives to account on this.  #GenFree #FreetobeKids Campaign coverage: https://www.rte.ie/news/2024/0918/1470524-online-safety-children-campaign/   People and Organisations supporting this campaign; • Irish Medical Organisation, (IMO) • Dr. Richard Hogan, Family Psychotherapist, • Dr. Catherine Conlon, Senior Medical Officer, HSE, • Prof. Mary Aiken, Professor of Cyberpsychology, • Dr. Brigid Teevan, Doctor in Childhood Studies, • Dr. Joanna Fortune, Psychotherapist & Clinical Author, • Dr. Colman Noctor, Child & Adolescent Psychoanalytical Psychotherapist • Dr. David Coleman, Clinical Psychologist & Author, • CyberSafeKids, • Temple Carrig Secondary School, • It Takes a Village, • Barnardos, Rahoo, • Noone Cyber Services, • Counselling Forward. • A Path Appears.

The Grand Canal has been a valued public amenity in this part of Dublin since the late 18th century, and a core green space for local residents since. Its a valuable part of our city's heritage and brings relief to local residents on their daily commutes, runs, and walks. In response to rough sleeping in the area brought about by poor planning, mismanagement of resources, and ineffective government agency responses over several years, Waterways Ireland has erected preventative fencing along the canal. This has deprived the local residents of their public realm and created an brutal eyesore for all who pass by. These fences must be removed, government agencies must be resourced to take swift action to accommodate and help our rough sleepers, and our public realm must be reclaimed for the benefit of all!

The affected families have been integrated into many parts of our town in Blackrock so it would have an impact on many people in the community. It is within our interest to maintain them as a key part of this community going forward. 

Many parents and families in Northern Ireland are coming under unbearable financial pressure due to the arbitrary and expensive school uniform requirements. In addition to a school uniform, many schools also insist on bespoke, branded sportswear for PE lessons, particular emblems, or have contracts for branded items with specific uniform suppliers. This can't go on - the Department can act to alleviate this financial pressure, and must do so now.

Only by mobilising working people on housing can we build a movement for housing with more power than the landlords, developers and vulture funds.

Community First Responders (CFRs) and other emergency volunteers are vital components of our emergency response system. These are trained volunteers who often arrive on the scene before ambulances or other official emergency services, providing life-saving interventions in critical situations. However, the current road traffic legislation does not grant them the same exemptions that official emergency vehicles enjoy, such as being able to park without fear of penalties during emergencies. Time is of the essence in emergency situations—delays caused by parking restrictions or concerns about fines can have life-threatening consequences. Without proper legislative support, CFRs are forced to navigate unnecessary obstacles that can prevent them from saving lives. It’s crucial that they have the same protections and privileges as other emergency services to ensure they can perform their duties quickly and efficiently. Why Should Other People Join This Campaign? This campaign is about more than just parking passes—it’s about supporting the people who are there for us when we need them the most. CFRs are volunteers who give their time and skills to save lives in our communities. Ensuring they have the legal support they need means that when the worst happens, help can arrive without delay. By joining this campaign, you are standing up for: 1. Safer Communities – By removing barriers that prevent quick emergency response, we increase the chances of saving lives. 2. Supporting Volunteers – CFRs and other emergency volunteers give their time selflessly. It’s only fair that we give them the legal protections they need to perform their roles effectively. 3. A Stronger Emergency Response System – Including CFRs in national legislation alongside official emergency services creates a more robust, reliable response to emergencies in every community. This issue affects everyone because emergencies can happen to any of us, at any time. By joining this campaign, we can push for a simple, yet powerful change that ensures CFRs and emergency volunteers are recognised and supported by the law. This is a step toward building safer and more responsive communities across Ireland.

Basketball is a highly engaging and an active sport that encourages cardiovascular fitness, strength, and coordination. By advocating for new courts, community members can help improve public health, especially among children and young adults who might otherwise lack access to safe and convenient places for exercise. Many communities face challenges with youth not having safe or productive places to spend their time. Additional basketball courts will provide a constructive outlet for young people to channel their energy, helping to reduce crime rates, vandalism, or other negative activities. Public sports facilities bring people together. Whether it's through pick-up games, organized leagues, or just casual play, basketball courts serve as hubs for social interaction. By joining this campaign, people can contribute to creating a space where neighbors can meet, connect, and form lasting relationships, building a stronger sense of community. By coming together for this campaign, the community can work to create a more active, engaged, and united future.

It's a basic human right to be able to hydrate and wash with water, not to mention access to sanitation for health and safety, example, flushing toilets, washing dishes, clothes, bathing babies.