To: The Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine, Rásaíocht Con Éireann (GRI), and Cork East Representatives The Situation in Youghal, Co. Cork. For decades, greyhound racing in Ireland has received tens of millions of euros in public subsidies through the statutory Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund—amounting to over €19 million nationally every year. Yet, here in East Cork, our local facility—Youghal Greyhound Stadium—runs on life support. State-commissioned economic reviews by Indecon previously highlighted that the Youghal track operates at a financial loss with some of the lowest live spectator turnouts in the region. Official figures and reporting show that meetings frequently take place before nearly empty stands, running primarily to stream off-track betting coverage. Despite this, over €763,000 in public funding has gone toward keeping this single venue operational in recent years. Official figures and media reporting show that Youghal regularly sees as few as 3 paying members of the public at its twice-weekly race meetings. The stands are virtually empty, with races taking place primarily to be filmed for offshore TV betting contracts (SIS). The Welfare Reality Behind the empty stands is a grave animal welfare issue. Official figures released through Parliamentary Questions (PQs) show that of the greyhounds registered under the Rásaíocht Con Éireann Traceability System (RCETS): • 57% of non-exported greyhounds from the 2021 birth cohort that retired in Ireland were recorded as deceased. • 74% from the 2022 birth cohort were recorded as deceased. • Over 5,300 dogs were exported overseas from the 2021 cohort alone, while Irish rehoming charities struggle under massive waiting lists. Taxpayer money should not be used to prop up a industry with unresolvable welfare issues and declining local interest. What East Cork Needs Instead East Cork faces real challenges—from underfunded community spaces and sports facilities for local youth, to overwhelmed local animal shelters trying to rescue and rehome greyhounds and other pets. Public money should serve the public good. Call-To-Action (The Specific Demands) By signing this petition, we call on the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Cork East Public Representatives to: 1. Cease State Subsidies for Youghal Greyhound Stadium: Implement the findings of independent economic reviews and phase out public grant funding for underperforming regional tracks. 2. Decouple the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund: Amend Section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001 to remove the automatic 20% funding guarantee for greyhound racing, subjecting all future allocations to independent Oireachtas scrutiny. 3. Ring-Fence Funds Locally for East Cork: Redirect the state funding currently used to subsidise Youghal Track directly into East Cork community infrastructure, youth facilities, and local animal welfare organisations.

  Who’s really on trial here: The Ulm 5 - or German justice?  Family and loved ones of the Ulm 5 ask you to bring attention to this trial.  Please sign the petition! If you care about genocide, this is something to pay attention to.  Five young people - including Irish citizen, Daniel Tatlow-Devally,- are on trial in Stuttgart, Germany for aiming to prevent genocide.  They are now known as the ‘Ulm 5’.  Aiming to uphold international law, they caused damage to an Elbit Systems Germany site (Elbit Systems is responsible for over 80% of arms in the genocide in Gaza). Germany is second only to the United States in providing arms to Israel.   The five had no previous convictions and waited for their arrest without resistance. Throughout pretrial detention, the defendants have been peaceful and pose no risk to any persons. Four of the five are citizens of Germany’s EU and Council of Europe (CoE) partners - EU and CoE membership is defined by upholding all citizens’ fundamental rights. The promise of European human  rights is meaningless if governments do not hold each other to account when breaches and injustices take place.  The Ulm 5’s defence counsel say their constitutional and human rights are being breached by the court. Every trial day the Ulm5 are brought in handcuffed behind two meter high bullet proof glass separating them from their lawyers.This paints a picture of dangerous criminals, contradicting their charges and, furthermore, their EU right to presumption of innocence, while Germany continues to provide material support to the ongoing genocide in Gaza.  Germany’s trusted EU/CoE partners must not fear holding them accountable where CoE/EU rights are being violated particularly when one of their own citizens is being affected. Monitoring this trial by government representatives is legally permitted. Constitutional and human rights to a fair trial are being breached by the court such as: • The court did not allow the defence to speak at all on the first day of the trial • The judge stated that anything the defence tried to say would vanish into thin air as she determines the version of record • The defendants are allowed only limited contact with their lawyers • The court had the defendants marched into the courtroom in front of the lay judges, by five prison officers, in handcuffs, and in a glass cage, against ECtHR rulings and the lawyers’ protests • The court has made extremely prejudicial statements to the press about the Ulm 5, comparing them to murderers, terrorists, violent coup supporters and violent gangs • The court chose to hold the trial in a high-security venue of the Higher Regional Court and has not sought normal courtrooms in their own Regional Court for this trial • The court has refused the defenses’ motion to bring in an independent court stenographer. Currently, the Judge is the only record keeper. • The court has also refused to hear multiple motions calling for the presiding Judge to be recused What we are requesting: • For the Irish Government to send legal observers to ensure a just trial.The Minister for Foreign Affairs has already promised fair oversight of this trial. This can only be achieved through governmental observation. 

When the Irish Government has a surplus of money, ie, they have taken in more tax money than they have spent, that money does not just sit in a bank account, it in invested into the global stock market by the state agency, NTMA.  It was reported recently that at least 5 companies that Irish Tax payer money has been invested in, have been named as part of the UN Special rapporteurs list of companies that are complicit in genocide.  The three main companies involved are Palantir, who's Military AI has been "Battle tested" in Gaza, Air BnB who rent out illegally occupied Palestinian homes within the West bank and a telecommunications company who provide Phone and Internet services to illegal Israeli settlers.  The Irish Government have been very outspoken in relation to the Israeli genocide of the Palestinian people, however their actions do not match their words. The Government have refused to include services as part of the occupied territories bill, which is not surprising as they have invested OUR tax money into those same services.  We the undersigned are calling on this government to do the right thing and divest any and all Irish tax payer moneys from Genocide. 

I care deeply about protecting the Irish Wolfhound because this magnificent breed is far more than a dog — it is a living part of Ireland’s history, culture and identity. The Irish Wolfhound is Ireland’s largest and most iconic native breed and has long been an ambassador for Ireland around the world. These gentle giants are known for their loyalty, dignity and unique temperament, but they also have specialised needs that require responsible ownership, careful breeding and respect for their nature as companion animals. As the popularity of the Irish Wolfhound grows, I believe we have a responsibility to ensure that this treasured breed is not valued for commercial gain at the expense of its wellbeing, character and future. Responsible preservation must always come before profit. The Irish Wolfhound has been recognised as a National Heritage Breed. Now we must ensure that recognition is supported by meaningful protection. I am asking people to join this campaign because protecting the Irish Wolfhound is not only about protecting a breed of dog — it is about safeguarding a unique part of Ireland’s heritage for future generations. This campaign gives everyone who values our history, our native breeds and animal welfare the opportunity to help protect a national treasure. By joining us, you can help ensure that the Irish Wolfhound’s future is shaped by responsible preservation, compassion and respect — not by commercial gain. My own Irish Wolfhound, Arthur Guinness, is the inspiration behind this campaign. Living with Arthur has shown me the extraordinary nature of this breed — their gentle temperament, loyalty and the deep bond they form with their families. Irish Wolfhounds are giant companion dogs who thrive on close human connection. They are not simply animals to be housed away from family life; they need companionship, care and the security of being part of the home. Arthur represents why this magnificent Irish breed deserves to be protected and preserved for future generations.

https://cdn.uplift.ie/assets/uploads/2025/07/MyUplift-banner-politician-SVG-1-scaled.png The South West Inner City area of Dublin has a chronic shortage of community spaces and community facilities. The area around Cork Street in particular has seen a huge increase in hotel and other short-term rental developments. There is tangible evidence that the local community has been squeezed out. "A Socioeconomic Analysis of Dublins South West Inner City" from Barra Rowntree (Trinity College) found that Third-level progression rates locally are less than half of the national average, that average incomes are substantially lower than Dublin as a whole, and the number of drug poisoning deaths per capita is at least twice the national average, though is likely higher. The report concluded that "The concentration of disadvantage in parts of the SWIC provides a compelling case for additional targetted investment", and in particular pointed towards investment in education and physical activity for young people. The James Weir Home for Nurses on Cork Street is owned by the HSE. The HSE have offered to give it to DCC free of charge so it can be used for community purposes.

Other people should join me in this campaigne because there has been many issues lately with the tullamore skate scene as the park is an unsafe place and the skatepark no longer feels like a fun place to learn to skate there is many skaters in tullamore and only one skatepark is no longer enough

Dublin has a serious public safety problem involving motorcycle theft, violent robbery and stolen-bike crime. This is no longer only about stolen property. Riders are being followed, surrounded, threatened, assaulted and, in some cases, pushed or dragged from their motorcycles while offenders take the bike. Motorcycles are being stolen from homes, apartment blocks, workplaces, public streets and parking areas. Chains are being cut in public. Many incidents involve masked groups. Victims and witnesses have reported knives, hammers and other weapons. Stolen motorcycles, scramblers, mopeds and e-bikes are then used dangerously on roads, footpaths and around members of the public. Motorcyclists, delivery riders and commuters are being placed in fear. Some riders are forced to escape when followed or surrounded, creating further danger for themselves, pedestrians, drivers and other road users. This is now a wider public safety issue for Dublin. Figures raised in Dáil Éireann showed that 787 motorbikes were stolen in Dublin in 2023, around a 100% increase on the previous year. It was also stated that for every 100 motorbikes bought or registered in Dublin in 2023, 44 were stolen. These numbers show that the current response is not enough. This petition is not a call for vigilantism, confrontation or people taking the law into their own hands. It is a lawful request for the State to act before more people are seriously injured or killed. Dublin should not become a city where masked groups can openly cut chains, steal motorcycles, attack riders, threaten people with weapons, post stolen vehicles online and endanger the public without meaningful consequences. Motorcycles are not toys. For many people they are transport to work, a livelihood, a financial investment and their only affordable way to commute. We are asking for lawful enforcement, prevention, accountability and protection for riders and the public.

Regular working people of Ireland are generally not allowed to drink alcohol during work hours, our government should not be allowed to either. Alcohol is one of the most abused substances in the country, it leads to many deaths in Ireland each year and leaves users impaired after consumption. It should not be available to our elected representatives while they are on duty. Recent report showing that the government are going to spend 400,000 euro to pick new wines for the bar. [1] While previous reports show that many TD's and Senators have failed to pay their bar tabs, up until 2018 those tabs were "Written off", but new rules have resulted in them having the monies taken from their salaries.  [2] It is time that our elected representatives close the Dáil bar and get back to work for those who elected them. [1] New wine  [2] Bar tabs

If Aughanish is not nationalised it will represent the loss of hundreds of direct & thousands of indirect jobs, as well as the fact that the red mud site is more likely to be abandoned & unmaintained than it is to be remediated. The plan can be found here: https://substack.com/@aprilmariasheehancorkery/note/p-202442693?r=5vsx97&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action we do not mind who implements this, so long as it’s done. Neoliberal ideological purity cannot stand in the way of saving the livelihoods of thousands in the mid west. 

Manor Street is a one-way street for cars heading into the city centre from the Cork Road direction. It has two cycle lanes, one to the left of the carriageway and a contraflow cycle lane on the right, to allow cyclists travel in the opposite direction to vehicular traffic. Until recently, both of these lanes had temporary plastic bollards marking them out, and separating cyclists from vehicular traffic.  Two weeks ago, the temporary plastic bollards were removed from the Manor Street cycle lanes in Waterford by Waterford City and County Council. The Council has not published any plans for upgrading the cycle lane surface, and there are no plans for Manor Street in the Council's 2026 Active Travel plan.  While the bollards offered limited physical protection, they made a big difference to the safety of cyclists using the lanes by clearly marking the edges of the cycle lane and creating a visual barrier. While the bollards may have been an inconvenience to drivers who expect to be able to pull into the kerb (and even onto the footpath), they made the street somewhat safer for cyclists.  They also helped to prevent the dangerous practice of cars parking in the cycle lane and blocking it.  Waterford Bicycle Users Group (a local group of the Irish Cycling Campaign) wants these bollards reinstated and a plan for upgrading the cycle lanes on Manor Street to be included in the 2027 active travel schemes. 

Providing clean, accessible public toilets will improve public health, enhance visitor experience, support local tourism, protect the environment, and improve the quality of life for residents who use these areas daily.

We believe women should retain meaningful choice in how they receive care during pregnancy and birth, and that maternity care options should be enhanced, not restricted, by healthcare reforms. We fully support and strongly endorse major investment in the public maternity care system, and we want to see it developed to the highest possible standard, with meaningful choice across care pathways, including consultant-led care, midwifery-led care, and community-based care. However, this must be achieved by strengthening and expanding services, not by removing existing options, particularly where there is no adequate or appropriate alternative available to replace the current private care pathway. Thousands of pregnant women choose private maternity care for a range of personal reasons. For many, the key reason is the guarantee of continuity of care: having a chosen consultant care for them from the first antenatal appointment through to delivery and postnatal follow-up. This pathway is deeply significant because it provides: • Tailored, personalised care: Women with specific physical or emotional needs, including those with past traumatic experiences, require care that reflects and responds to their circumstances. • Trust and peace of mind: Being attended by a familiar consultant who understands a woman's history provides reassurance during what is often the most significant medical event of her life to date. Most women choose this care pathway and make financial sacrifices to do so because an equivalent level of care is not available to them within the public system. Not every woman chooses this option. But every woman should have the right to. Yet under current Sláintecare reforms, access to the private maternity care pathway is being phased out. Maternity care is disproportionately affected by Sláintecare policy, and women are the only group directly impacted in this way. Unlike other areas of healthcare, where private and public options exist side by side, maternity care in Ireland operates within the public hospital system, as there are no private maternity hospitals. Removing private care from public hospitals removes access to the private maternity care pathway entirely. This creates a clear structural inequity: choice is being reduced in a female-only area of healthcare, while private options remain available in other medical specialties. We call on the Government to maintain access to the private maternity care pathway within the maternity care system by refraining from removing private maternity care access within public maternity hospitals.