News

It is clear that the Health Minister has lost control of his Department and lacks authority It is hugely regrettable that Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan was dragged into a political controversy of the Department of Health’s creation and is now leaving the public service, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “Public health […]

If these figures represent success for the Minister’s plan, one wonders what failure would look like? There has been lots of bluster from the Housing Minister on the progress he is making in housing – but very little evidence of any delivery, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “The latest progress report for […]

The question for the government now is clear: when, not if, it will act? The cost of living crisis has vaporised household budgets, according to Social Democrats co-leader and Finance Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “This month’s consumer price index makes grim reading. Prices in the past month have increased by nearly 7pc – the fastest rate […]

When will the Housing Minister deliver on his promises? A new Simon Communities’ report showing a huge decline in the number of rental properties available to HAP claimants is further evidence that the housing crisis is getting worse, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “The ‘Locked Out’ report reveals that the housing crisis […]

With just two months to go before quotas are again exhausted, the Minister must come forward with proactive solutions Inshore fishing is rapidly becoming both unsustainable and unviable because the Minister for Agriculture has refused to review his own department’s mackerel quotas, according to Social Democrats Agriculture Spokesperson Holly Cairns. “Currently, a paltry 2% of […]

In the middle of an unprecedented cost-of-living crisis, the government has the power to do more than offer arrogant advice If the government has run out of ideas on how to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, it is welcome to adopt proposals that the Social Democrats have long advocated, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer […]

This Bill is a missed opportunity for real and substantial political reform The Electoral Reform Bill, which is being debated in the Dáil today, fails to live up to its name, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “The pace of political reform in this country is incredibly slow. Fianna Fáil and the Green […]

Ultimately, we need to ensure that equity is at the heart of these changes Plans announced today to reform the Leaving Cert are long overdue but welcome, according to Social Democrats Education Spokesperson Gary Gannon. “The first Leaving Cert exams took place in 1924 and, prior to 2020, remained largely unchanged in the intervening period. […]

The Taoiseach has been quite vague about the reasons for the expulsion of these four diplomats The decision to expel four Russian diplomats is welcome – but raises further questions, according to Social Democrats Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Gary Gannon. “I welcome today’s announcement today that the government has expelled four Russian diplomats from Ireland. However, […]

Today’s news is a bright day for the north inner city, as we remember a very dark period in our history Confirmation that a National Centre for Research and Remembrance will be located at the site of the former Magdalene Laundry on Sean McDermott Street is a victory for survivors, according to Social Democrats Dublin […]

Tomorrow, a Social Democrats’ Bill, “Ban On Sex For Rent 2022”, will be debated by the Dáil. The government must fast-track legislation which makes demanding sex in lieu of rent a specific criminal offence, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “As the rental crisis deepens, there have been reports of a minority of […]

This crisis must be a wakeup call. We need policies that will ensure our food sovereignty.     We are facing a serious crisis later in this year if farmers cannot access fertiliser, according to Social Democrats Agriculture Spokesperson Holly Cairns. “I met with local representatives of the Irish Farmers’ Association and the Irish Cattle and Sheep […]

This is now an emergency situation and the government must treat it as such. Energy price increases of nearly 40pc by Bord Gáis Energy are going to have a devastating impact on those already struggling to heat their homes, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. ‘The energy price increases announced by Bord Gáis […]

The State turned a blind eye to this abuse for decades. It is now time to shine a light on this dark practice. The State turned a blind eye to illegal adoptions for decades and must now establish an inquiry to finally determine the extent of this travesty, according to Social Democrats Social Justice Spokesperson […]