Dear Ministers, We ask you to do everything in your power to grant our friends Samira, Hamed and their 18-month old son Zahid, asylum in Ireland as Programme Refugees. They have been in hiding in Afghanistan since the Taliban took over and their lives are in severe danger. Their application to the Irish Refugee Protection Programme ticks all the boxes. In addition, we have a formal and excellent offer of accommodation here in Cork City with our friends and their children; we will house and support the family, and facilitate their integration into Ireland. The Naderi family are a brilliant example of what Afghanistan aspired to become before the Taliban took over this summer: Two working parents of 18-month old boy, Zahid. They dedicated their professional lives to advancing the rights of women and girls. Samira became a Biology and Mathematics Teacher at a government girls school. She pushed her students to dream big and to following in her footsteps, claiming their place in university and in civil society. Hamed, like his wife, championed the education, equality and integration of women and girls into all aspects of Afghan society, working as an Advocacy Assistant for the renowned Afghan Women’s Network. The family had to go into hiding as soon as the Taliban took to power this summer and are in constant fear or their lives. Many of their colleagues have disappeared and they know that their family will not survive if they are found. Cork politicians have been very supportive in trying to bring the family’s case to the government’s attention. We have been told that their visa application ticks all the boxes and is with your Department - but we still haven’t received any official communication. We are incredibly worried for Samira, Hamed and Zahid’s safety and are trying to do everything we can to bring them to our safe haven in Cork City, Ireland. Dear Ministers - this is a good, hardworking and educated family. They speak English and all they wish to do is work and contribute to civic society. Without your help, this family will die - simply because they had the courage to advocate for women’s rights. Our sincere thanks for taking the time to read this letter and consider their application. We really hope that you are in a position to help and look forward to hearing from you soon. #BringTheNaderisToIreland Warm and hopeful regards, Joya Kuin, Cork City

Stop making the Public Services Card a requirement for essential services.

We request that the DES change from printing and posting payslips to teachers in Ireland every two weeks and use an online system.

We need more childcare places, therefore more childcare facilities. Our County Council and An Bord Pleanála need to consider existing childcare needs in the area when granting planning permissions and building new estates.

There are only two park rangers covering all of Tymon Park, the second biggest park in Dublin.  Corkagh Park, in contrast, has six park rangers. There are also no park rangers in Watergate Park.  Park rangers are vital in ensuring our parks are kept clean and well-maintained. They are responsible for inspecting the playgrounds and ensuring the equipment isn't damaged or could injure children. They are also responsible for warding off anti-social behaviour and helping to prevent it by monitoring the park grounds. 

Queen's University Belfast must take immediate action to address their shameful 15% gender pay gap.

We, the undersigned, are reaching out with an urgent appeal for support regarding the Freedom Flotilla mission to deliver life-saving aid to the people of Gaza. Recent developments have highlighted the challenges facing this humanitarian effort, and we believe that your assistance is crucial in ensuring its success. As you may be aware, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition has encountered obstacles in its noble endeavour to provide essential aid to the people of Gaza. Political pressure has led to the withdrawal of flags from the flotilla's vessels, threatening to impede their mission. In light of these developments, we must stand in solidarity with the Freedom Flotilla and take action to support their cause. We are calling on you, as representatives of the Irish people, to lend your voices and influence to this important issue. Specifically, we urge you to support efforts to allow the Freedom Flotilla to register its ship in Ireland, thereby enabling it to sail under the Irish flag and continue its humanitarian mission unhindered. By demonstrating our support for the Freedom Flotilla, we reaffirm Ireland's commitment to justice, compassion, and human rights on the international stage. Your support on this matter would not only be a powerful statement of solidarity with the people of Gaza but also a reflection of Ireland's values and principles. We urge you to consider the urgency of this situation and to take action in support of the Freedom Flotilla mission without delay. Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to your positive response and continued support for justice and humanitarian causes. EMAIL TO SEND TO TD'S: I am reaching out to you with an urgent appeal for support regarding the Freedom Flotilla mission to deliver life-saving aid to the people of Gaza. Recent developments have highlighted the challenges facing this humanitarian effort, and we believe that your assistance is crucial in ensuring its success. As you may be aware, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition has encountered obstacles in their noble endeavour to provide essential aid to the people of Gaza. Political pressure has led to the withdrawal of flags from the flotilla's vessels, threatening to impede their mission. In light of these developments, it is imperative that we stand in solidarity with the Freedom Flotilla and take action to support their cause. We are calling on you, as a representative of the Irish people, to lend your voice and influence to this important issue. Specifically, we urge you to support efforts to allow the Freedom Flotilla to register its ship in Ireland, thereby enabling it to sail under the Irish flag and continue its humanitarian mission unhindered. By demonstrating our support for the Freedom Flotilla, we reaffirm Ireland's commitment to justice, compassion, and human rights on the international stage. Your support on this matter would not only be a powerful statement of solidarity with the people of Gaza but also a reflection of Ireland's values and principles. We urge you to consider the urgency of this situation and to take action in support of the Freedom Flotilla mission without delay. Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to your positive response and continued support for justice and humanitarian causes.

Instead of staffless libraries why not employ some of our lovely population in libraries across the country

Extend paid statutory Maternity Leave to all mothers until creches and childcare facilities reopen.

To the CEO of AIB, Minister You have 22 branches around the country that no longer deal with cash. We want all AIB branches in Ireland to deal with cash.