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.

As a family, we have experienced two major flooding incidents - our family home in Galway in September 2015 and my mother's home a number of years ago - followed by a near escape over Christmas in my mother's home. In the days following Christmas, we witnessed elderly people and families using sweeping brushes and wheelie bins to bail water in an attempt to protect their homes, homes that had already been destroyed a few years earlier. The impact on other communities around the country was, in this instance, far worse. Flooding, and the fear of it that permeates communities prone, is life -destroying. People need to be equipped and supported to protect their homes and businesses. The inevitability of these events needs to be conceded and the promises of action that we have been hearing needs to happen now. In terms of crisis response (prevention is a whole other story) in the immediate term; • There needs to be local co-ordination and a crisis response plan in areas that are prone to flooding, including a text alert system to people willing to help; • There should be a store of sand-bags in these areas. Easy-to-store sand-bags (five in a box about the size of a lap-top box) are now available, but these are generally distributed far too late. In our own case we got a delivery of sand-bags the day after the flood. That evening a local politician sourced them and while it wasn’t too late, it would have been far better if they had been available earlier; • At one stage the fire brigade brought a small pump and generator and this cleared the water out of the worst affected homes in a few minutes – work that had taken us all night. These should be available in all flood prone areas and training provided to local people to be able to use it; • People in these areas should receive grants to install flood-barriers – these work unless the flood is overwhelming; • Guarantees that either insurance companies will be required to provide flood insurance or a national insurance fund is established.

In spite of E.U. sanctions against Russia for their role in destabilising Ukraine and annexing parts of the country, on December 7th, 2015, a 16-strong trade delegation led by Minister of State Sean Sherlock under the auspices of the Joint Economic Commission – Russia/Ireland, went to Moscow "to build on our existing excellent relationships"(1). Meanwhile Russia is bombing and killing hundreds of innocent civilians in Syria. According to the respected Syria Network for Human Rights, Russian airstrikes since September 30th until December 1st, 2015, have targeted markets, mosques, bakeries, killing 583 individuals - 570 of whom were civilians, including 152 children and 60 women. A recent report from Human Rights Watch also highlighted Russian extensive use of cluster bombs (2). The Convention on Cluster Munitions which banned their use under any circumstances, was actually adopted in Dublin on 30th May 2008. Their use also violates United Nations Resolution 2139 which demanded that all parties involved in Syria end “indiscriminate employment of weapons in populated areas" (3). Russia also vetoed a UN Security Council resolution to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court (4). The Amnesty International report of December 23rd, 2015, in effect corroborates and elaborates on the substance of these earlier (SNR, HRW) reports in laying out egregious violations of human rights and international law perpetrated by the Russian military. Please sign this petition to ensure that our government does not support the lifting of current E.U. sanctions against Russia when they are due for renewal. 1. http://www.intellinews.com/irish-government-gets-primed-for-lifting-of-sanctions-against-russia-86361 Irish government gets primed for lifting of sanctions against Russia 2. https://www.hrw.org/news/2015/12/20/russia/syria-extensive-recent-use-cluster-munitions Russia/Syria: Extensive Recent Use of Cluster Munitions 3. http://www.un.org/press/en/2014/sc11292.doc.htm Security Council Unanimously Adopts Resolution 2139 (2014) to Ease Aid Delivery to Syrians, Provide Relief from ‘Chilling Darkness’ 4. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-27514256 Russia and China veto UN move to refer Syria to ICC

Following Donald's Trump's anti-immigrant position, we, as a nation of emmigrants, cannot allow such ignorant and hateful actions which inspire fear and hatred as well as justified anger. We are part of EU and we are on the front-lines at the moment. We must welcome ALL people no matter their religion/beliefs as long as they are not out to harm others or incite hate. I am starting this campaign because Donald Trump is an inciter of hate and fear and should not be allowed a stage to cause further divisiveness among peoples of the world. Therefore, I am asking you to sign this petition to ban Donald Trump from being allowed to visit The Republic of Ireland for any reason.

Parents often need to use the emergency clinic for their children. Not being able to find out where to go or to be able to get through is really frustrating.

The Aghavannagh Mountain holding is a c.1,527ac upland estate in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains, with 1,518 acres extending in one unbroken block from the village of Aghavannagh to the summit of Lugnaquilla. At 925 metres, it is the highest mountain in Leinster and the highest peak in Ireland outside of Kerry. Is close to the Wicklow Way, Ireland's oldest and most celebrated long-distance walking trail. The land contains extensive priority habitats under EU law, upland heather moorland and blanket bog.

The reason for this request is to protect our children, parents and guardians, from the traffic on the main road, R610. As the school is situated on a steep hill with no access for a school bus or coach, the children and teachers have to walk down to the main road and gather behind the Grass Island to catch a bus or coach, or to walk to the playground or the tennis courts in the village. Why should the county councillors care?                                                      Because the proposed plan to change the road layout has not been proven to be an improvement but will be a serious threat to Road Safety for parents and school children. The Grass Island has been and remains a safe solution for the traffic needs of the school and village.  The implementation of the Active Travel Greenways Improvements cannot threaten the daily life of our school children or their parents.

As a public facility, Mullingar Swimming Pool has a responsibility to remain inclusive and accessible to all members of the community.  In a country surrounded by water, the ability to swim is an essential life skill, and access to effective learning pathways must be protected.  We respectfully call on Westmeath County Council to:  • Review and reconsider the decision to ban private swimming lesson • Acknowledge and address the current shortfall in available classes and access within existing programmes • Engage with pool users, parents, instructors, and adult learners before implementing major policy changes • Explore balanced alternatives, such as designated times that allow private instruction to continue alongside public use We believe there is a fair and practical solution that supports safety, inclusion, and access for everyone.  

The Trump administration has done untold damage to the global economy, including Ireland's, while lining his own pockets and those of his billionaire supporters.   This type of grifter is not welcome on our island

Because every child deserves Magic at Christmas, even those children who are employed in slave labour in the cocoa industry who supply Cadbury's.

For the future of EU citizens. 

Many drivers do not have enough time or appropriate notice to adjust their speed for the new lower limit. People are then being picked up by a fixed speed camera.  This situation can lead to drivers being penalised unfairly, even when they are trying to slow down responsibly. It is not about avoiding speed limits — it is about ensuring that the road layout and signage are clear and give drivers adequate time to react safely. While drivers are expected to be aware of their surroundings, road signage and speed limits should provide adequate time and distance for a reasonable person to respond safely. The current placement of the 100 km/h sign followed by the 80 km/h limit, creates a situation where even careful and attentive drivers may not have sufficient time to adjust their speed safely. This is not about blaming drivers — it is about ensuring the road layout and signage are designed to promote safety and fair enforcement for everyone. By joining this campaign, you are helping to make this road safer for everyone, prevent unfair penalties, and encourage clear, responsible signage that protects drivers and the local community.