Country wide.

Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) play a vital part in the lives of pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The current lack of centralised Garda Vetting makes it very hard for SNAs to work in schools, as at the minute they have to vetted for every single school they might want to work in. This means that schools can often struggle to get a substitute SNA since the SNA is not vetted for their school (even if they are vetted for the exact same role in other schools), resulting in pupils missing out on important educational supports. If other professionals can have centralised vetting, like how teachers have universal vetting through The Teaching Council, why can SNAs not have the same option? Centralised vetting would also help to reduce the amount of time and resources that school management members would have to spend preparing SNA vetting paperwork for SNA staff. Even if a nationwide organisation was set up to manage the centralised vetting of SNAs, most SNAs would appreciate being part of a group where they can connect with other likeminded SNAs and peers. The role of an SNA is often misunderstood and overly simplified by people, so it would be a nice acknowledgement of the importance of their everyday work with SEND pupils. Thank you for taking the time to read this, hopefully it will result in the introduction of centralised Garda Vetting for SNAs in the near future! Amy Reynolds *I am a qualified Special Needs Assistant (SNA), Teaching Assistant (TA) and Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) teacher. I am passionate about education, particularly inclusive education, and the benefits it brings, especially for pupils with SEND. I myself have struggled to get opportunities to work as an SNA (even as a substitute) as my vetting for other settings would not cover me for that particular school. I now work in pharmacy and am completing an apprenticeship pharmacy technician style course. I would like my future work to combine education and pharmacy / healthcare*

Concerns and Issues: 1.     Hazardous Road Conditions: The road surface is riddled with potholes, cracks, and uneven patches, posing serious risks to motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. 2.     Damage to Vehicles: Many residents have experienced vehicle damage due to the poor condition of the road, leading to costly repairs. 3.     Pedestrian Safety: The deteriorating road surface increases the risk of trips and falls. 4.     Emergency Response Delays: Emergency service vehicles, such as ambulances and fire engines, may be delayed due to the poor road conditions, which could have life-threatening consequences. 5.     Drainage and Flooding Issues: Poor road maintenance has led to inadequate drainage, causing localised flooding during heavy rainfall. 6.     Questionable Allocation of Funding: It has come to our attention that an engineer may have assessed our road but funding was instead allocated to another road in significantly better condition. This raises concerns about the fairness and transparency of the decision-making process regarding road repairs. Requested Actions: We urge Wexford County Council to: • Conduct an urgent inspection of L5060. • Allocate necessary funds for full resurfacing rather than temporary patching. • Provide a clear timeline for repairs and resurfacing. • Improve long-term maintenance to prevent further deterioration. • Review the decision-making process to ensure funding is allocated based on actual need and road condition assessments. Community Support: The residents of of Kilmichael Upper/Ballygullen/Ballygarret/Ballyowen/Ballinacoola strongly support this petition, as evidenced by the signatures below. We request that this matter be prioritised and addressed as soon as possible. We kindly ask for a response from the council outlining the planned course of action within 30 days. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

These decisions will have a significant impact on the future of the Connemara pony and will also affect all daughter societies. It is essential that breeders have a voice in shaping the future of the breed. 

The road is a danger to all and most especially our pedestrians and cyclists. The surveys are done the measurements taken. We need contractors on the ground to make the road safe for all.

We have been informed that both Buncrana and Letterkenny Fire Services are facing a drastic reduction in resources. This includes the removal of our second fire engine, a significant cut in crew numbers, and, in the case of Letterkenny, the loss of the vital water tanker and incident command vehicle. These resources are essential for effectively responding to emergencies and ensuring the safety of both the public and our firefighters. The decision to implement these cuts has been presented to us as a fait accompli, with management stating that the changes will proceed regardless of our concerns. We were told, "if you don't like it, take us to court." This dictatorial approach is deeply disrespectful and undermines the vital role we play in protecting our community. We are particularly troubled by the justification given for these cuts. We are being told that these reductions are a consequence of firefighters seeking a better work-life balance. While we firmly believe in the importance of work-life balance for all workers, including firefighters, we refuse to accept that the safety of our community should be compromised as a result. It is unconscionable to punish firefighters for seeking reasonable working conditions, and, more importantly, to punish the public by diminishing the emergency services they rely upon. These cuts will have a devastating impact. Fewer firefighters and fewer resources mean slower response times, increased risk to both firefighters and the public, and a diminished ability to effectively handle complex emergencies. The loss of the water tanker in Letterkenny, for example, will severely hamper our ability to fight fires, especially in areas with limited water supply.

For the safety of our commuters and economical development

Every year, thousands of women in Ireland undergo mammograms through BreastCheck, trusting the results they receive. But for the 43% of these women with dense breasts, a "clear" mammogram does not necessarily mean they are cancer-free. • Up to 50% of cancers in dense breasts go undetected on mammograms because both cancer and dense tissue appear white, making tumours almost impossible to see. As a result, 1 in every 2 Irish women with dense breasts may have their cancer missed. • Women with dense breasts are 4-6 times more likely to develop breast cancer than those with lower density. • Breast density is a stronger risk factor than having a family history of breast cancer, yet women in Ireland are not informed about it. • Breast density can only be detected via a mammogram - it is not something a woman can feel. • Despite the serious implications of breast density, Ireland does not inform women whether they have non-dense or dense breasts. This leaves many unaware of their potential increased risk and the need for additional screening, such as ultrasound or MRI. Other countries, including the United States, Canada, France, and Australia, already notify women of their breast density, ensuring they have the information they need to advocate for their health. Irish women deserve the same. Breast density is categorised into four groups: • A (Mostly Fatty) and B (Scattered Fibroglandular Tissue): These are considered non-dense breasts, where cancer is generally easier to detect on a mammogram. • C (Heterogeneously Dense) and D (Extremely Dense): These are classified as dense breasts, which can make it harder to detect cancer, and also increase the risk of developing it. Women deserve to be informed whether they have dense or non-dense breasts so they can seek appropriate screening if needed. A major European study (D.E.N.S.E. Trial, Netherlands) has led to new EUSOBI (European Society of Breast Imaging) recommendations, stating: • All women should be informed of their breast density • Women with extremely dense breasts should receive additional screening with MRI 👉 Read the study: EUSOBI Recommendations This is a global issue, but Ireland has the opportunity to take the lead. We need to demand transparency and better screening for all women. 📖 Learn More About Breast Density To read more about why breast density matters and how it affects breast cancer detection, please read this in-depth piece on Her.ie that explores the science, the risks, and the urgent need for policy change. Read it here. A Call to the National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) We also call on the National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) to urgently evaluate the inclusion of breast density reporting within Ireland's BreastCheck program. Currently, BreastCheck does not collect or report breast density information, leaving many women unaware of the risks associated with dense breast tissue. It’s crucial that NSAC acknowledges the need for change and works toward a systematic notification protocol for breast density. By doing so, the NSAC can help ensure that women with dense breasts are informed about their density and offered additional screening, such as MRI or ultrasound, in line with international recommendations from the European Society of Breast Imaging (EUSOBI). This step will allow women to make informed decisions about their health and reduce the risk of undetected cancers. My Personal Story I know firsthand how devastating this lack of information can be. My amazing mum, Marian Lovett, always attended her routine BreastCheck screenings and was given a clear result in 2022. She had no reason to worry, but just a year later, she was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer- a terminal diagnosis. She later learned that her dense breast tissue likely masked the tumour on her mammogram, meaning her cancer could have been missed in previous scans. She was never informed about her breast density, never advised to seek additional screening, and never given the chance to detect her cancer earlier. My mother passed away in August 2024, taken far too soon. She was deeply frustrated that this critical information had been withheld from her, and she wasn’t alone - so many women have faced the same devastating reality. That’s why I am fighting for change on her behalf. 📖 Read More About My Mum’s Story I share my mum’s story in an article on Her.ie, highlighting how a lack of breast density notification contributed to her late-stage diagnosis. Read it here. A Collaborative Effort for Change This petition is launched in collaboration with Siobhán Freeney, a dedicated patient advocate and founder of BeingDense.com, Ireland’s leading resource on breast density awareness. Siobhán has tirelessly campaigned for transparency in breast screening after her own cancer was missed due to extremely dense breasts - something she was never informed about. Her experience, like my mother’s and so many others, has driven her to fight for mandatory breast density notification so women can access essential screenings before it’s too late. Through BeingDense, Siobhán has worked to educate women, raise awareness among healthcare professionals, and push for policy change at the highest levels. While this petition focuses on improving breast screening policy in Ireland, it is also part of a global movement to ensure better breast cancer detection and prevention. Siobhán has also launched her own petition on Change.org, calling for similar action. By signing both petitions, you can strengthen the case for change and help ensure that all women receive the information they need. 👉 Sign Siobhán’s Petition Here Women in Ireland deserve access to all the information about their own health - just as women in other countries already receive. Join us in demanding that Ireland finally listens. Sign our petition now to help ensure no more women are left in the dark about their breast health.

It was promised in the Budget to be rolled out in January 2025, but the government hasn't delivered free HRT. This would support a struggling demographic, i.e. Peri-menopausal and menopausal women.  HRT can enable women going through menopause to manage symptoms such as increased anxiety, depression, hot flushes, misophonia, panic attacks, insomnia etc (there are at least 35 symptoms) thereby ensuring women can live a more productive and fulfilling life and maintain good relationships.  HRT is also heart and bone loss protective. It supports working single women who receive very little tax benefits compared to those that are married and or are mothers through no fault of their own. 

The current meter placement has resulted in inaccurate consumption data resulting in inflated bills. Under Directive 2023/1791 (EU Energy Efficiency Directive, all heat metering must be accurate and based on actual consumption – Consumers must only be billed for their own apartment’s heating, not for common areas or system heat losses.

The closure of The Wombles at this location will not only leave children without crucial early learning opportunities but will also place an immense strain on working parents who depend on after-school care. Many of us have built our work schedules around this service, knowing our children are in a safe, familiar, and supportive environment. The impact extends beyond our families, affecting six dedicated early years educators who may lose their jobs. Early years education plays a vital role in identifying children who may need additional support or early intervention, and The Wombles has been instrumental in ensuring children receive the help they need from an early age. Over the past decade, they have provided Level 7 support for children who have gone on to thrive in school. We urge you to find a solution that does not leave 98 children without care and education. Our families need your immediate attention to this matter.

The Triple Lock is an integral part of Ireland's neutrality and Foreign Policy. Removing the Triple Lock is an attack on our neutrality. This change opens the door to Irish troops being seconded to NATO and EU missions, with almost free-range given to the government of the day. The Triple Lock means Irish Defence Forces troops are only deployed on UN-mandated missions. A UN mandate gives legitimacy to peacekeeping missions which will be impossible to replace. The blue beret, that Irish troops have always worn, also offers them a huge level of protection. There is currently an attack on the UN with Elon Musk recently stating the United States should leave the institution. The proposed plans from the government are a further undermining of the UN at a time of increasing militarisation. So what? This is a fundamental change in Ireland's stance on neutrality - so we believe it should be put to the people in a national plebiscite. Every citizen in Ireland deserves to have a direct say on whether the Government should make this change. We recognise the importance of democratic consultation in shaping Ireland's future foreign policy, which is why we believe the only truly democratic option is a direct vote through a vote by the people on the whether Ireland should retain the Triple Lock.