Hydraulic fracturing is the method used for the extraction of natural gas (shale gas) from the ground.

This horizontal drilling process involves the pumping of millions of gallons of water, mixed with hundreds of highly toxic chemicals, thousands of feet deep into the ground.

Already in the U.S.A and Australia, pollution caused by this process to land, to air, to surface water and to groundwater has resulted in a terrible health toll and catastrophic environmental damage. Countless cases of death have been reported among wildlife and livestock.

A litany of serious ‘fracking’ related health problems for people in communities in areas where this technology has been used have also come to light.

Because of this damning body of evidence, which includes academic reports (1), moratoria on ‘fracking’ have been put in place in the state of New York, in the state of New Jersey, in the North Rhine Westphalia (Germany), in South Africa. The French Government has recently banned hydraulic fracturing in France.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has only recently begun an investigation into the safety of the process. Their final report is not expected until 2014. At present in Ireland there is no regulation in existence that covers this extraction method, and there has been no research published into the potential consequences of such activity here.

Presently, a number of oil and gas companies who have already been granted exploratory licences, are preparing to use this process to profit from shale gas in the Lough Allen and Clare Basin Regions – an area which includes twelve counties (2).

If hydraulic fracturing is allowed the aftermath may be an irreversible disaster for us and our environment. It may result in the contamination of our water table and of Ireland’s most extensive and important river and lake network.

We will not allow the safety of our water and the health of our children to be put at risk.

1. See http://nofrackingireland.wordpress.com/reports/
2. Leitrim, Roscommon, Mayo, Sligo, Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan, Clare, Limerick, Cork, Kerry & Fermanagh (N.I.)

For more information on hydraulic fracturing in Ireland see:
http://what-the-frack.org/

There are also a number of Facebook pages and groups on fracking in Ireland.

Please see also:
http://www.friendsoftheirishenvironment.net/fracking/fracking.html
http://frackingfreeireland.org/
http://nofrackingireland.wordpress.com/

Grounds for refusal are often two-fold; firstly, that the care and treatment being sought outside the state is viewed as a second opinion or secondly, that said care and treatment is being sought in the Private Sector of the Health Service of another EU country and thusly, not covered by the TAS. It is our contention that, firstly, if the Irish Consultant first visited is unfamiliar with the presenting condition, then any subsequent referral to a specialist in that field should be deemed a FIRST valid opinion.

Secondly, if the appropriate, timely care and treatment for a particular condition is only available in the Private Health Service of another EU country, the same supports should be afforded these patients as those afforded to any citizen of the state presenting with a more common condition. Your Support would be greatly appreciated in this matter.

The fluoride (Hydrofluorosilicic Acid H₂SiF₆) added to Irish drinking water is a cumulative poison i.e. it accumulates in the body over time by drinking water, or absorbed through the skin when washing. It is directly linked to 'dental fluorosis' which is irreversible tooth enamel damage. See more info on dental fluorosis (in new window)

Official Irish Dental studies in 2002 studies showed, that 38% of 15 yr olds have some form of dental fluorosis and children as young as 8 years are also affected with this permanent condition of mal-formed tooth enamel. Dental fluorosis is the first visible sign of too much toxic fluoride in the body.

Independent world wide studies have also shown other health problems, linked to exposure to fluoridated water, i.e. increased rates of hip fractures, osteoporosis, lower IQ in children, arthritis, gastrointestinal effects, bone fracture, kidney disease, cancer, male infertility, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, skeletal fluorosis, endocrine disruption, and thyroid disorders. For more health effects including please see: Fluoride Health Effects Database (in new window)

Drinking water, which accounts for only 1% of water usage is the only target for fluoridation. The remaining 99% of fluoridated water, that is mainly used for commercial and agricultural purpose, flows down the drains, introducing toxic fluoride into the groundwater. When fluoridation is ended, the former financial costs of fluoridation, can then be redirected to cash starved health projects, currently being cut back due to the economic downturn.

To participate in the fluoride debate or receive updates on water fluoridation developments in Ireland join us on Facebook here: Fluoride Free Water Ireland on Facebook (in new window) for lively discussions and information.

We present a number of video clips on the dangers and health risks posed by water fluoridation. Please share them with your friends, family, and work colleagues. Forward them to your local County Councillors and TDs to help our campaign to end water fluoridation immediately!

In this video, Brent Foster, the State Conservation Chair for the Oregon Sierra Club, explains why he came to oppose water fluoridation in the US (the only country that has been fluoridated longer than Ireland):

People are becoming more aware about the toxic dangers of fluoride in our drinking water and damage being done to our health. We have got a new website up Fluoride Free Water Ireland website (in new window). As I look today (March 18^th 2013) at the comments that people are leaving on their petitions I can see that people are getting angry every week at a government which continues to allow toxic cumulative chemicals to be added to our drinking water without our consent.

Politicians do not consider water fluoridation a serious issue so it's up to us to tell our politicians. Unfortunately the only thing they react to is public pressure! So if you know of people willing to sign please forward them this URL or recommend this site to your friends on Facebook!

The more signatures we get the sooner we can reverse the current mandatory water fluoridation government policy.

Updated: 15th August 2013

OUR GOVERNMENT, that's who!

My name is Alison Lynch and I am mother to Sean, a 9 year old boy with autism. For the past number of years Sean has received an ABA education, which has made a huge positive difference to the quality of his life and to mine. ABA stands for Applied Behavioural Analysis, an extensively researched method of education and internationally recognised as the most effective educational intervention for children with autism.

For over a decade now the Irish government has funded 13 'pilot' ABA schools in this country. My hope, and the hope of so many parents and professionals, was that having researched the effectiveness of these schools, the government would see their immense value and would open up others throughout the country.

However with a decision that defies logic, having invested taxpayers’ money in these ABA schools, the Department of Education and Skills is effectively forcing ABA schools out of existence. They are demoting ABA expert staff, diluting ABA principles, and are thereby discounting my son's potential. AND THE DEPARTMENT IS DOING ALL OF THIS WITHOUT SO MUCH AS EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SCHOOLS!

This move will have a seriously negative impact on the educational provision for children with autism in this country. Where other developed nations are embracing ABA schools our government is abandoning them.

[Follow this link for our Facebook Group "Autism Education - Save Our Schools": http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=115848678471888&ref=ts]

If a person wants to join the circus to entertain, that's their choice. Animals DO NOT have this choice and have no one to speak for them. This practice is cruel and inhumane. If this performance is allowed to continue then WHAT DOES our animal welfare really stand for?

If you also feel strongly about these issues raised then please comment or sign to show your support.

WATCH THESE VIDEOS

And:

AIMS Ireland NO LONGER WISHES TO HOLD THE BILL until a further date. AIMS Ireland and many other birth groups have submitted amendments to sections 24 and 40 which enable a woman's and midwife's rights and autonomy. Please see the amendments supported by AIMSI and others here:

Factfile on why sections 24 and 40 need to be amended: http://aimsireland.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=1291

14 Reasons to Amend sections 24 and 40: http://aimsireland.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=1290

One Midwife, One Woman, One Birth: http://aimsireland.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=1322

PLEASE TAKE 5 MINUTES TO CONTACT YOUR LOCAL TD'S, SENATORS, AND SPOKESPERSONS FOR HEALTH AND TELL THEM TO SUPPORT AMENDMENTS TO SECTIONS 24 AND 40!!

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UPDATE - November 3rd

Thank you to all the babies, women, men and midwives who came out for the picket at the Dáil this morning to witness this petition being handed over to Minister for Health!

The Bill goes against the Committee tomorrow.

We are expecting this to be a long journey. The ground is always shifting. Things are changing by the minute.

We are keeping the petition open - please continue to support this campaign and share this petition!

Contact AIMS Ireland chair@aimsireland.com for more information or find us on Facebook for updates.

UPDATE: November 5th
The Bill passed Committee stage in full yesterday morning. The meeting only lasted 1hr 45min and only Minister Harney, S O’Fearghail (chair), James Reilly, Margaret Conlon, Rory O’Hanlon, and Kathleen Lynch were present. No amendments relating to our concerns were discussed.

For current updates on the next stage of this campaign please refer to the AIMS Ireland website or facebook page.

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Please join us in signing this petition in order to protect the human rights of women and the professional autonomy of midwives.

This petition expresses the concerns of The Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services, Ireland (AIMS Ireland) and co-signing individuals/organisations regarding the consequences the proposed Nurses and Midwives Bill would have on home birth in Ireland and broader aspects of maternity care choices for women giving birth in Ireland.

Background; Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

The current situation which has been in place since September 2008 is that Independent Midwives, now known as Self Employed Community Midwives (SECMs), who agree to practice within the terms of the MOU and its schedules will have the care they offer home birth mothers covered by the State's Clinical Indemnity Scheme (CIS), operated by the State Claims Agency (SCA). This arrangement came about following the withdrawal of individual insurance cover for SECMs by the Irish Nurses Organisation (INO). The proposed new legislation, the Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010, will in effect make it illegal for a SECM to provide antenatal, intra-partum or post partum care if the pregnant woman’s circumstances do not meet criteria set by the MOU. Failure to comply with the new legislation will result in the criminalisation of midwives. Penalties for convictions range from €5,000 and/or 6 months imprisonment to a maximum fine of €160,000 and/or 10 yrs imprisonment.

Many of the women being excluded for home birth under the current MOU and proposed legislation are women who would have previously been able to avail of a home birth. The Home Birth Association of Ireland estimates that some 40% of women who have opted for a homebirth in Ireland in the past have done so because of a previous traumatic experience in a hospital setting. Most of these women will now be excluded.

We the undersigned highlight several key concerns in relation to the new legislation.

1. Human Rights and Autonomy for Women
2. Evidence-Based Recommendations from NICE
3. Professional Rights and Autonomy for Self Employed Community Midwives (SECMs)
4. Adverse Effects to the Current Maternity System

1. Human Rights and Autonomy for Women. The fundamental human right to bodily integrity is enshrined in Article 40.3.1 of Bunreacht na hEireann and in Article 3 of the European Convention of Human Rights. Under Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, free and informed consent is the cornerstone of medical treatment. For consent to be free and informed, it must be based on information and choice, neither of which feature in the proposed legislation.

2. Evidence-Based Recommendations from NICE

The Irish maternity system, the MOU and the proposed Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010 purport to follow internationally recognised best practice and the recommendations of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the UK. These evidence-based standards state explicitly that women should be offered the choice of planning birth at home, in a midwife-led unit, or in an obstetric-led unit (NCCWCH, 2007). Further, NICE adds "The woman should be fully involved in planning her birth setting so that care is flexible and tailored to meet her needs and those of her baby."

The right to make an informed decision with regard to care and place of birth is central to the concept of “woman-centred care”. The NICE guidelines have been developed with the aim of providing guidance to assist in the decision making process around appropriate treatments for specific conditions. In relation to planning place of birth, a number of tables are provided which outline conditions or situations which either “suggest planned birth at an obstetric unit” or "indicate a woman should be assessed on an individual basis" taking into account her history and current pregnancy.

These guidelines clearly state that while women who fall into these tables are considered at higher risk, and suggest that birth take place at an obstetric unit; this is a recommendation, not a command. Crucially, the NICE guidelines propose that regardless of clinical opinion, the final decision be left with the individual woman so long as she is fully informed of her increased risk at home in these instances.

Yet, the current MOU, raised to statutory footing by the proposed Nurses and Midwives Bill, excludes from home birth all women with conditions or situations listed in the NICE tables. The MOU intends to adopt these tables as un-negotiable exclusion criteria, which flies in the face of the evidence-based NICE recommendations.

Under the proposed legislation, women will be excluded from making an informed choice on place of birth if they fall outside extremely tight criteria. The new legislation, while appearing to only affect the small percentage of women in Ireland who choose to birth at home, will actually set the precedent in Irish legislation for all women’s rights to make informed choices in childbirth.

3. Professional Rights and Autonomy for Self Employed Community Midwives

In order for SECMs to practice in Ireland with insurance, they must sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the HSE. Through the Clinical Indemnity Scheme, the midwife’s practice (not the midwife) is insured; so long as (s)he follows the criteria in the MOU. SECM’s who choose to practice outside of the MOU criteria or who fail to transfer women who suddenly fall outside the criteria are subjected to either a fine or prison, or both. For example, if a SECM attends a woman in labour whose waters have been gone for more than 24hrs and the midwife fails to transfer to hospital even though there is no danger to the mother or baby (or if the woman refuses to go in to hospital), the midwife faces financial fines or prison time under the MOU. AIMS Ireland and Co Signatories recognise SECMs and the profession of midwifery as an autonomous and highly skilled profession. We believe that midwives are the experts of normal birth and that midwives must retain their professional autonomy in order to meet the needs of their clients in the community.

4. Adverse Effects to the Current Maternity System

The maternity services face significant challenges in the current context. The number of births registered in 2009 was 74,278 (CSO, 2010), and figures for 2010 reveal similarly high figures. There is widespread fragmentation of the maternity care services, which includes huge variability in the type and standard of care available to women, a lack of continuity of care, poor communication between healthcare professionals and women in their care, and underfunded, overcrowded, understaffed centralized care units. In addition, recent scandals within the maternity services including the scans misdiagnosis scandal, have resulted in the erosion of women’s trust in a system which has let them down repeatedly, through systemic failures on the part of the HSE.

The Irish system gives women very little choice, childbirth in Ireland is highly medicalised, and fails dramatically to be cost efficient and cope well with Ireland’s high birth rate. It is our belief that further impediments on birth choices and care options through the current employment of exclusion criteria in the MOU and proposed legislation in the Midwives Bill will put further stress on an already failing system.

Home Birth and Midwife-Led Care are the recommended care options for the majority of women.

A Home Birth and Midwife-Led Service means:

 Saving money and bed days.

 Preventing over-crowding and securing more time with consultants for women who choose or need consultant led care.

 providing evidence based and safe care.

The airline's decision has been critised by people from all political persuasions.

This petition is a message to the decision makers at Aer Lingus, including CEO Dermot Mannion, Finance Director Greg O'Sullivan, and Chairman John Sharman, that this decision is not acceptable to us, their customers.