News

Nobody can successfully argue that criminalising addicts is the way forward The so-called war on drugs is essentially a war on poverty, Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon told the Dáil today. “We’ve known for a long time that a law-and-order response to drug addiction is harmful and counterintuitive. But this Government has so far continued […]

Despite lack of public support and cruelty concerns, the Government continues to prop up the greyhound racing industry  Increased State funding for the greyhound racing industry represents a serious setback for animal welfare in Ireland, according to Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns made her comments ahead of today’s Dáil motion proposing approval of […]

In Iceland, 86pc of the country’s workforce either work a four-day week or have a right to do so The government should move ahead with a large-scale pilot project of a four-day working week following the overwhelming success of a limited trial, according to Social Democrats Enterprise Spokesperson Catherine Murphy. “All 12 companies that took […]

Minister needs to redouble efforts to achieve carbon reduction targets The agreement reached on a loss and damage fund for poorer countries at COP27 should not distract the Government from its climate change responsibilities, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Climate and Biodiversity, said: “Minister Eamon […]

Landlords are leaving the rental market in their droves, with 43,000 properties lost in five years The mass exodus of landlords from the rental market further highlights the urgent need for regulation of short-term letting platforms, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s spokesperson on Housing, said: “Reports today […]

As Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe prepares to leave office, his biggest priority is rewarding bankers The government’s plans to restore bankers’ bonuses are an insult to the millions of workers who have seen their wages fall because of the cost of living crisis, according to Social Democrats Finance Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “As Finance Minister Paschal […]

Minister Foley must restore banked hours system for children who lose time with their special education teachers Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has called on the Minister for Education to ensure that pupils with additional needs do not lose tuition hours as a result of the chronic shortage of primary school substitute teachers. Deputy Gannon, […]

The Department of Children cannot adopt a ‘one-size fits all’ approach to the refugee crisis Children with additional needs living in emergency accommodation should not be moved at short notice, according to Social Democrats Spokesperson for Children Jennifer Whitmore. “Today, some 200 Ukrainian refugees are being moved from the Clondalkin hotel they have lived in […]

Thousands of local authority homes lie empty as the number of people in emergency accommodation reaches another grim record The latest record homelessness figures further highlight the Government’s laissez-faire approach to tackling the housing crisis, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s Housing spokesperson, said: “With Christmas now just […]

VAT could be removed in an amendment to the Finance Bill, which is currently before the Dáil The government should ‘green’ our VAT rates and remove VAT from solar panels and their installation, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “Earlier this year, the EU clarified that a zero VAT rating can apply to […]

The Minister must make the enactment of this Bill a priority The government must quickly move to ensure that a policy of open disclosure becomes mandatory within the health service, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. Deputy Shortall was commenting after the publication of the final report of Dr. Gabriel Scally into the […]

Students finally receive their results – six months after sitting their exams Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has congratulated students on finally receiving their Junior Cert results today, but called on the Minister for Education to provide assurances that the long delays in correcting this year’s exams will never happen again. Deputy Gannon, who is […]

Government clampdown on energy companies’ profits is welcome but overdue Funds generated through a windfall tax on energy companies must be targeted at vulnerable households most at risk from fuel poverty, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Climate and Biodiversity, said: “The Social Democrats have always […]

Figures show Government’s housing plan is an abject failure The latest Daft report paints a grim picture of Ireland’s rental market and is further proof that the Government’s housing plan has failed, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s Housing spokesperson, said: “The latest Daft report is a stark […]