35 blind and visually-impaired ladies have lived here some for over six decades. The proposal is to close the centre and transfer these people to other locations. They have been friends for years; they know the layout of their environment; now they are to be separated and sent to different places. It is difficult enough when you are blind to get to know a new place but when you are an elderly prson it is much more difficult.

Having reached 62 ( any being a cancer survivor this last 5 years) With a Husband who is 65 still working but with a thyroid condition, I am very conscious about how different our bodies and minds are coming into later life and how difficult it is for may people to be able to work effectively as age progresses. My personal view is that the original age of 65 was introduced for this reason and should not have been changed. We have paid our taxes and social welfare payments for the past 45-50 years in good faith that when our time came we could reap our reward (despite it being at a very basic level) The government knew we were coming and should have provided for us as we have carried this country through these years. The argument that people are living longer simply sucks. Yes some do (thanks to improved medical services etc. ) I agree, but many do not and we should not be forced to continue to drag our weary bodies around the workplace for a further 5 years until we are sure almost dead. Can the government not see that instead of having the older population on OAP, they are simply going to have to sustain them on medical /disability basis. Lets face it we have by the age of 65/66 paid our dues and should be entitled to enjoy what remains of our lives in freedom and peace. Perhaps some of us do live longer, but how many of these end up in Nursing Homes where they have to hand over their homes via Fair deal schemes plus their old age pension to cover the cost of their care. (Incidentally this system only allows them keep c.€40 per week for personal items including Prescription costs so families usually have to supplement this.) In my view the younger generation should be giving this matter greater consideration and support than they are,They should begin to realise that their time will come sooner than they expect. Unfortunately, though many of the young believe themselves infallible and do not realise how fast old age comes upon us.

Because animals have the right to live.

Family carers are not priority in this country in any case and have to fight for everything

Too many rogue breeders who care nothing for the welfare of the animals. Many of them breed with stolen animals, traumatising the animals and leaving families devastated by losing a family member. Adults dogs and puppies are being kept in horrific conditions of disease, overcrowding, and tiny kennels and no veterinary care.

Because innocent, hardworking and law-abiding Irish citizens are being ripped off all day every day by these unscrupulous companies and nobody is taking action. Plus our privacy is being trangressed and compromised as our telephone numbers are being accessed.

It is so important because i experienced this back in 1998 when i first came to Ireland. I was even pushed out of a pub in Temple Bar for no reason. I reported to the police but nothing was done. I was shocked when my brother that came into the country recently experienced the same discrimination at the point of entry into clubs and pubs.

On foot of huge sacrifices made these last 3 months by persons of all ages and circumstances, it would be criminally irresponsible to allow the thirst for tourism income and personal holiday travel to issue in a second wave.

To preserve the gains and prevent a second wave.

The system has raised major human rights concerns and the toll that it takes on its residents has been well documented by NGOs, legal practitioners, experts and international bodies with the Ombudsman and the special rapporteur on child protection both calling on Ireland to abolish Direct Provision. Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and the Green Party are currently negotiating a program for government.(PFG) The abolition of the dehumanising Direct provision system has become a key sticking point in the negotiations with Fine Gael and Fianna Fail not wishing to make a firm commitment to its abolition in the PFG. In order to ratify the PFG, each party will require a vote by its members and so every member of those parties has a voice on the issue. In addition to signing this petition; Please contact your local Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Green Party TD and Councillors and ask them to commit to only supporting a PFG which contains a firm and time limited commitment to the end of Direct Provision. Sample e-mail text: “Dear [Deputy/Councillor], I am writing to you as my elected representative. Your party is currently negotiating a program for government and, if agreed, you will soon be asked to vote to ratify this. I am asking that you contact your negotiating team in your party and let them know that you can only support a program for government that contains a firm and time limited commitment to the end of the dehumanising Direct Provision. Yours sincerely, You can find details of your elected representatives here https://www.whoismytd.com/ You can find more information on Direct Provision here: https://www.irishrefugeecouncil.ie/listing/category/direct-provision https://doras.org/direct-provision/ https://www.newyorker.com/news/dispatch/irelands-strange-cruel-system-for-asylum-seekers

Like many other people being confined to your house during the Covid-19 crises has been very difficult. But imagine how much worse would that have felt if you couldn't go for walk in your community or to your own garden and even worse on some days, to not even be able to open your windows. This is an ongoing issue, but the last 10 weeks have been especially difficult. The strong, persistence chemical odours that come from Merck Millipore have an impact on our quality of life and potentially on our health and environment. It effects approx. 6000 people. We as a community have to stand together to ensure that our voices are heard and Merck Millipore is compliant with their licences. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), local TD, HSE and Garda Siochana have been informed about the situation throughout multiple complaints form people from the community and other areas. However, their efforts have brought no real effect as we are still experiencing the same strong odours. Let's take the next step and express our concerns by signing this petition. We would like to put more pressure on Merck management, EPA and local TD to resolve this issue. Merck Millipore have continued to operate with the serious defect in their waste treatment plant and needs to be stopped.

Covid19 clusters in the meat industry is risking human lives. No amount of food is worth that. We must protect workers and allow the industry time to adapt while workers recover with pay. Imagine the fear the workers are living under and their familes at the taught of contamination with covid 19 no one should have to work under that stress. Meat plant workers are vitally important in our economic factors it is time we showed them that we care enough to not risk thier lives