May 1st 2025 is a significant day for the world's workers and peace activists, many of whom are joining together to commend and support what is also the final day of Nobel Peace Laureate Mairéad Corrigan Maguire's 40 days of fasting and prayer against the global scourge of war, injustice and genocide. Mairéad's protest followed Israel unilaterally ending the ceasefire without warning, resuming a policy of genocide and ethnic cleansing that has inflicted brutal levels of death and destruction on Gaza's unarmed and defenceless civilian population, many of whom are children.  Fearlessly calling out the impunity accorded Israel by many governments, including the United States, Britain and the European Union, who also provide money, arms and silent complicity, Mairéad ceaselessly seeks to stop the madness of poverty, cruelty, militarism and war. يُعد الأول من مايو 2025 يومًا ذا أهمية كبيرة لعمال العالم ونشطاء السلام، حيث يجتمع العديد منهم لتكريم ودعم ما يُصادف أيضًا اليوم الأخير من صيام وصلاة الحائزة على جائزة نوبل للسلام، ميريد كوريغان ماغواير، التي استمرت 40 يومًا احتجاجًا على آفة الحرب والظلم والإبادة الجماعية في العالم. جاء احتجاج ميريد بعد أن أنهت إسرائيل من جانب واحد وقف إطلاق النار دون سابق إنذار، واستأنفت سياسة الإبادة الجماعية والتطهير العرقي، ما أسفر عن مستويات وحشية من الموت والدمار بحق سكان غزة المدنيين العزّل، وكثيرٌ منهم من الأطفال. ومن خلال شجاعتها في فضح الإفلات من العقاب الذي تتمتع به إسرائيل من قِبَل العديد من الحكومات، بما في ذلك الولايات المتحدة وبريطانيا والاتحاد الأوروبي، والذين يساهمون بالأموال والأسلحة ويتواطؤون بصمت، تسعى ميريد بلا كلل إلى وقف جنون الفقر والقسوة والعسكرة والحرب.

Gambling has ruined so many lives. Broke up marriages,  homes repossessed, jobs lost. Gambling can be a silent addiction and is not visible to lots of people. A gaming/ gambling arcade in a rural town is the last thing we need.

Kneecap are facing a torrent of abuse after their Coachella performance, where they used their platform to highlight the US’s involvement in the ongoing Genocide in Palestine, with some even calling for their US visas to be revoked. Kneecap has been highlighting the ongoing atrocities happening in Gaza since the formation of the group back in 2017. They have used their voice to raise awareness of the situation and to call out the people in power who are carrying out, paying for and supporting a Genocide. This abuse being directed at Kneecap is part of a wider effort to suppress artists' right to speak up on the issues that matter most to us all! We must take a stand against this wherever we see it. If we can get enough people signing this petition, we'll show that the people of Ireland stand with Kneecap and support their pro-Palestinian message.

Reading Recovery has faced growing criticism due to advances in the Science of Reading. Four decades after its introduction, New Zealand Education Minister Erica Stanford announced on 3 May 2024 that funding for Reading Recovery will end in 2025 (Newshub 2024, cited by Chapman and Turner 2024). Minister Stanford has been widely praised for her strong commitment to evidence-based policy in ending this harmful and outdated approach. Similarly, New South Wales discontinued all funding for Reading Recovery in 2016 due to serious concerns about its effectiveness and cost. Numerous U.S. states have also moved to ban or phase out Reading Recovery programs, citing its failure to produce lasting gains in literacy and alignment issues with Science of Reading research Quite frankly—and with all due respect—Minister Helen McEntee, the time has come to engage with the wealth of accessible research condemning this approach and take decisive action in Ireland. Please refer to my blog 'Reading Recovery: A Review of the Research' on www.muinteoirchloe.ie for a review of literature and listen to the 'Sold a Story' Podcast. https://www.muinteoirchloe.ie/blog/reading-recovery-a-review-of-the-research

Many people don’t realise that “dove releases” at funerals and weddings often involve white domestic pigeons that are not trained to navigate or survive. These birds are bred for appearance, not ability, and are frequently abandoned after the ceremony. Whether it doves or fancy pigeons, It’s a practice that’s both misleading and cruel. Families deserve the truth, and these birds deserve protection. By regulating or banning these unethical releases, we can prevent unnecessary suffering and hold providers accountable.

Catering services were removed from the Sligo-Dublin train at the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic, and despite assurances given by Irish Rail that they were to be restored to all Intercity services by the end of 2024 at the latest, they remain suspended.   The catering cart provides much needed refreshment and sustenance to individuals and families travelling on the 216km long journey which takes over 3-hours.   This is especially the case for people travelling from Sligo to Dublin on the early train, which departs Sligo at 05:40, before local shops and cafes open, and the last train from Dublin which arrives at 22:35, after they have closed.   A significant number of passengers utilising the rail service are elderly, or are travelling, often with children, in order to attend medical appointments. For these people, the absence of a catering cart represents a negative experience that exceeds inconvenience, and compromises the accessibility and quality of service on offer. https://www.uplift.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/MyUplift-banner-politician-SVG.svg

The Cabinet decision on Monday 3rd March 2025 to procure a State owned LNG Terminal, coupled with the granting, last week of Planning Permission by An Bord Pleanála, for a 600MW gas powered power station, indicates a reversal of this policy.  Conventional Natural Gas is damaging to the climate and but LNG, extracted through fracking is dirtier than coal and it is also particularly and immediately damaging to the local environment.   If we are to meet our climate commitments under the Paris Accord, cut our emissions in half by 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2050 we can not become reliant on another form of fossil fuel, especially not one associated with the. Please sign our petition to urge the Government to think again. https://www.uplift.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/MyUplift-banner-politician-SVG.svg

The Tenant-in-Situ (TiS) scheme was created to prevent homelessness by allowing local authorities to purchase homes where tenants are at risk of no-fault evictions. But right now, it’s failing the people it was meant to protect. Instead of keeping renters in their homes, the scheme is underfunded, tied up in red tape and restricted by narrow criteria. Local authorities are often unable to buy properties in high-demand areas, even when the tenant qualifies — simply because they’re priced out or the home needs renovation. This is despite the fact that an estimated 75% of rental properties don’t meet minimum housing standards. People are being forced out of their homes, away from their communities, schools, doctors and support networks — not because it’s inevitable, but because the system isn’t working. Tenant-in-Situ should be a powerful tool for prevention — not just a box-ticking exercise. It's time to fix it so individuals and families facing eviction can truly stay in their homes and communities. ✍️ Sign this petition and help us hold the government accountable.#MakeTiSWork  #TenantInSitu #HomesNotEvictions #HousingCrisis #FixTheSystem Firsthand Accounts from CATU Members Affected by the Failed Tenant-in-Situ Scheme: Jenny Roche, a CATU member who was denied the Tenant in Situ Scheme, commented: “A scheme like Tenant-in-situ cannot work effectively without the ability to compel both local authority and landlord to engage, possibly in a CPO-type arrangement. Otherwise tenants- regardless of length of tenure - are at the whim of landlord greed in a 'sky's the limit' property market and/or local authority ineffectiveness. My own experience of 9 months of hope dashed 5 days before our notice of termination came due because the landlord refused the council's offer was devastating. My family had been tenants of the house for almost 20 years and the landlord expected us to vacate immediately. I had been advised by the office of my local TD Catherine Connolly's office that the scheme was 'a joke' and that proved to be the case.” Amelia Melanson, CATU member, added: “The Government’s policy not to refurbish homes is a failed opportunity to upgrade Ireland’s housing stock, which is in terrible condition. Nearly three-quarters of privately rented properties inspected by local authorities fail to meet minimum standards. Denying tenants this scheme due to refurbishment costs effectively punishes them for their landlord’s neglect. Moreover, in a housing crisis and in a climate crisis, we should not just be focused on building more housing but ensuring that existing property is safe and liveable for tenants.” Another CATU member who is facing eviction after being denied the Tenant in Situ Scheme commented: “It’s terrifying to be in this position – knowing we have nowhere else to go. It’s devastating to realise that even when you’ve done everything right – paid your rent, built a life, raised your child in a community – the system can still turn its back on you. The uncertainty is affecting every part of our lives: my ability to parent, maintain friendships, and keep working. We’re stuck in limbo – we can’t make plans, we don’t know what’s coming, and we’re carrying the weight of a crisis we didn’t create. I live every day with the fear of losing our home.” Catarina Koch, CATU member commented: “We need an eviction ban now. Eviction does not just force people out of their homes. It forces people away from their school, their livelihood, and their support network. The Tenant in Situ scheme is another powerful tool to keep people in their communities and out of homelessness. Instead of expanding this vital safety net, the Government is slowly restricting it so that fewer tenants can avail of the scheme. The Government should be listening to people who have been denied this scheme to understand what the real problems are and understand how to make Tenant in Situ work.” Another CATU member who is facing eviction after being denied the Tenant in Situ Scheme commented:“I’ve gone back to college as a part-time mature student while also working. I’ve fought tooth and nail to build a life for me and my child — to keep a roof over our heads through everything, even during illness and unemployment. I never missed a rent payment, never missed a bill. I always made sure the landlord was paid first. I’ve held this household together completely on my own, with no family support, for over a decade. Through sheer grit and determination, I’ve managed to improve our lives — only to now have our security and stability ripped away. All those years of sacrifice, of blood, sweat, and tears — it feels like they meant nothing. The housing crisis sends a cruel message: even your absolute best is never enough.” No one should have to face eviction alone. If you or someone you know has been affected by a failed Tenant-in-Situ case or is facing the threat of homelessness, get in touch with CATU: [email protected]

Many people who use cannabis in Ireland worry about being treated like criminals, which can add stress and anxiety to their lives. The fear of getting caught or facing legal trouble can make feelings of paranoia and mental health struggles even worse for users. Legalising cannabis would mean people could seek help or talk openly about their use without fear, reducing stigma and supporting better mental health. It would also take money away from criminal gangs, making communities safer and allowing users to access safer, regulated products.

Protect Dublins unique Georgian architecture and cinematic history,

The community wants to save the beachfront, they believe the Council and  political representatives are not listening. ‘Our Village, Our Voice, Our Choice ‘

Mayo and Galway county councils want to build a relief road to extract traffic from Cong and are pushing this through with little to no publicity, with much haste and most importantly, with next to no contact or discussion with the people of Cong.  The proposed routes, rather than remove traffic from Cong are funnelling it into the village and have the potential to destroy large tracts of woodland, our local countryside and the privacy and amenity of homes in the area.   We have been given less than 2 weeks to review and comment on plans that will impact on Cong, its habitat and people for decades to come.   As the people of Cong, we feel the routes fail to meet the outline objectives and needs of Cong and moving to a single candidate route at this time is extremely premature in the absence of meaningful public consultation and detailed surveying. We do not support the proposed routes and feel that other alternative options need to be explored.  The council needs to put a stop to this current process, stall all associated deadlines and have a public meeting to afford local people the opportunity to voice and explore their alternatives. For example, a simple bylaw banning HGV traffic policed by a camera system would restrict HGV access to the narrow 1-way system in the village. Money saved from any relief road could be better spent upgrading existing roads.  Cong and its surrounds are an area of stunning beauty, rich heritage and wildlife and we will NOT let our homes be destroyed.  If we work together, anything is possible. We CAN do this!  Please sign the attached and share.  (More info available on Facebook page “No to the Road, Save our homes…” Cong relief road route petition            April 2025 Petition to Mayo and Galway County Councils to: 1) Halt current phase2 route planning stage/ process on proposed Cong relief road. 2) Hold a public meeting with the people of Cong and surrounding area to listen to and review relief road concerns, options and alternatives.  Please review the petition summary page and sign if you are happy that it reflects your feelings on the matter.  We would be grateful if you would let others in your area know about this petition.