The waterways patrol are groups of people who patrol the waterways at night. The waterways patrol are key figures in preventing people from falling in the river Corrib. The waterways patrol plays a vital role in Wexford, Limerick and Derry. We need to do something about the loss of life In Galway too.

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.

We are starting this petition because: • The Elderly & Isolated: Many of our most dedicated fans, especially the elderly in rural Ireland, don't have the high-speed broadband or the technical knowledge to use streaming apps. They are being unfairly excluded. • Cost of Living: In the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, asking fans to pay a subscription to watch a major Championship game is an unnecessary burden on families and young supporters. • National Interest: A clash between the League Champions and the Kingdom is a matter of national sporting interest and should be available on RTÉ or TG4.

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

For the future of EU citizens. 

🎥 This is my daughter speaking from Gaza: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/14YNDYcp6Xu/⁠� My children and I are living under constant threat in Gaza, with no safe place to go and no way to escape. Every day is a struggle to survive. She is living through fear and uncertainty every day, asking only for the chance to live safely, like any child in the world. Despite many desperate attempts to seek help, we have received no response. Your support could save my children’s lives and give us a chance to live in safety, dignity, and hope for the future. Please listen to her voice and help us find safety.

We, the undersigned, demand the immediate resignation of Micheál Martin from his position as Taoiseach. His recent public statements praising Winston Churchill as a "wartime hero" to President Donald Trump represent a profound betrayal of Irish history and the lived experiences of those impacted by Churchill’s colonial policies. ​By aligning himself with a narrow, revisionist view of history and cozying up to the Trump administration through such rhetoric, the Taoiseach has undermined Ireland’s neutral standing and its commitment to historical justice. Such comments display a staggering lack of sensitivity to the victims and their descendants of the Black and Tans or the Bengal Famine, proving he is no longer fit to represent the Irish people on the global stage.

"There were 18 fatalities on Galway roads in 2025, which was a significant increase (360%) compared to 5 deaths in 2024. This made Galway one of the counties with the highest road fatality rates per capita in Ireland during that year." This was reported in the Connaught Tribune earlier this year. Lackagh Village,  has grown into a vibrant community. Every day, a large volume of traffic speeds through our Village, and this has become a significant concern for the safety and well-being of our residents - young and old. In particular, Lackagh is home to important community fixtures such as our local school, supermarket, and church, all of which are positioned along this busy road. Additionally, our Village footpath is used daily by walkers, runners, and those traveling to  hurling and football. With so many people relying on this pathway, the lack of traffic calming measures and a pedestrian crossing is a real hazard and an accident waiting to happen, given that people are constantly crossing the road to gain access to main amenities. It is crucial for us to address these safety concerns before it is too late. We need to improve the quality of life for everyone in Lackagh Village. We are calling on our local politicians to take immediate action by installing traffic calming measures and a much-needed pedestrian crossing. This will not only protect the safety of our children, elderly residents, and families but also preserve the community's sense of security and peace. By signing this petition, you will help convey to our political representatives that the safety of our community is non-negotiable. Let's encourage them to take serious steps in ensuring Lackagh Village is safer and more accessible for all. Please show your support by signing today, and together, we can make a difference.