News

UN climate conference must deliver measurable results on global warming  The Government must insist that COP27 is more than just a talking shop and use Ireland’s influence to achieve climate justice for developing countries, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Climate and Biodiversity, said: “Given the […]

Callous treatment of Twitter staff does not bode well for future direction of company under new ownership Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy TD has called on the Government to ensure that Twitter will fully comply with all provisions of Irish employment law after staff learned of significant job losses at its Dublin office today. Deputy […]

Action, not vague promises of future housing delivery, is urgently needed  The Housing For All action plan update and Q3 progress report published today show that the Government is falling far behind on its delivery targets for social and affordable homes, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s Housing […]

Minister’s figures lay bare the scale of injustice involved in flawed redress scheme for survivors of mother and baby homes Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns has renewed her call on the Government to amend its proposed redress scheme for survivors of mother and baby homes after it emerged that 24,000 former residents will not be […]

The latest homelessness figures are a shocking indictment of the Government’s failure to deliver social and affordable homes The latest homelessness figures highlight the Government’s failure to deliver on social and affordable housing, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s Housing spokesperson, said: “Figures released today show the highest […]

Work to provide safe and legal abortion access in Ireland must continue The 10th anniversary of Savita Halappanavar’s death should allow us to reflect on the progress we have made in the reform of our abortion laws, but also on the shortcomings of the legislation as it stands, according to Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns. Paying […]

Government inaction will condemn O’Connell Street to an even bleaker future  Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has called on Leo Varadkar to make the rejuvenation of O’Connell Street a priority when he takes over as Taoiseach later this year. Deputy Gannon, who represents Dublin Central, said: “Last week, the Taoiseach refused to commit to the […]

At what stage in this process will the penny finally drop for the Minister that this legislation is not fit for purpose?  Government TDs should be allowed a vote of conscience on a controversial Bill giving effect to the redress scheme for survivors of mother and baby homes, according to Holly Cairns of the Social […]

Unacceptable that low interest loan guarantee scheme for households now pushed out to 2023 The Government needs to immediately clarify how targets set for the National Retrofitting Scheme will be achieved, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Climate and Biodiversity, also expressed concern that a low […]

Principals and special education teachers are not qualified to diagnose disabilities or specific learning disabilitiesThe Minister for Education must confirm whether legal responsibility for assessing the educational needs, of children with additional needs, is being transferred to school principals, according to Social Democrats Education Spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon was speaking after schools received an “information […]

Comprehensive transport plan also needed to ensure success of extended nightclub hours The long overdue reform of licencing laws will help protect livelihoods and provide a welcome boost for the night-time economy, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s Arts spokesperson, said: “Businesses dependent on late-night trade have struggled […]

Four years after the repeal of the Eighth Amendment, women’s reproductive healthcare is still not a priority for this Government The Minister for Health must urgently intervene to ensure that every maternity hospital in the State offers access to all legal healthcare options to women seeking abortions, according to Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns. Deputy […]

The independence, mental health and employment prospects of disabled people is being limited, and in some cases completely erased Almost 10 years after the closure of two vital mobility schemes, the State is continuing to fail disabled people, according to Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s spokesperson on Disability, said: […]

The problems in An Bord Pleanála extend much further than allegations concerning just one board member A new report into further planning issues at An Bord Pleanála must be published in full and identify those involved in breaches of procedure, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan was commenting after the Irish […]