News

If we are serious about suppressing the surge in covid, then we have to act fast The failure to roll out antigen testing in primary schools for nearly another two weeks is deeply concerning while the scheme itself is unnecessarily bureaucratic, according to Social Democrats Education Spokesperson Gary Gannon. “The Government has promised antigen testing […]

Government must prioritise schools for antigen testing It is indefensible that TDs would have access to free antigen tests before teachers and children, according to Social Democrats Education Spokesperson Gary Gannon. “I have learned today that antigen tests will be made available for TDs, and Oireachtas staff, from next week. It is incredible that arrangements […]

Deputy Shortall will be bringing forward a Bill proposing a referendum to remove the requirement to make religious oaths from the Constitution The full-throated defence by the State of mandatory religious oaths in the Constitution is both surprising and deeply disappointing, according to Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall. Deputy Shortall was an applicant in proceedings […]

It is about time the Minister took control and demonstrated some leadership The Minister for Education is missing in action as schools struggle to cope with a huge increase in the incidence of covid, according to Social Democrats Education Spokesperson Gary Gannon. “Our school communities are being crushed under the pressure of covid. They are […]

An idling engine can produce up to twice as many exhaust emissions as an engine in motion Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore has today launched legislation to ban car idling at schools. “Idling cars are bad for the environment, public health and people’s pockets. This is why I am launching legislation today that will […]

Education, based on facts and science, should be the bare minimum that all of our children can expect Children’s Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) must be informed by best practice in science and healthcare, according to Social Democrats Education Spokesperson Gary Gannon, who has launched new legislation to reform the way RSE is taught. “In a […]

The introduction of directly elected Mayors should be a catalyst for change, not a mandate for more of the same The proposed powers for the directly elected Mayor of Limerick do not go far enough, according to the Social Democrats Local Government Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan was commenting after the Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local […]

Workers and young families, desperate to find a home, will find very little to be hopeful about in today’s figures House price increases of more than 12pc in the past year have firmly bolted the door to home ownership for generation rent, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “House prices in Ireland are […]

The Minister has yet to appoint an independent expert, finalise terms of reference or provide a time-frame for the review The failure of the Minister for Health to appoint an independent expert to review the State’s abortion law is deeply concerning, according to Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns. “Under section 7 of the Health (Regulation […]

An immediate ban on rent increases must introduced as a matter of urgency The latest rent report from Daft.ie is further evidence that rent levels are out of control, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “It is alarming that rents have risen by almost 7pc in the past year. Average rents are now […]

Our climate action targets cannot be met without these large-scale public transport projects The delay of Metrolink for at least ten years is a catastrophe for the greater Dublin region and means we are almost assured of missing our climate action targets, according to Social Democrats Transport Spokesperson Catherine Murphy. “The revised Dublin transport plan […]

It should not take more than a year to turn around a social home – this should be done in a matter of weeks  The State must take the lead in tackling vacancy, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan T.D. Deputy O’Callaghan was reacting to a report, from the National Oversight and Audit […]

This is the third half-hearted and ineffective attempt to deal with big funds buying up entire housing developments The proposal going to cabinet today to allow local authorities reserve up to 50% of new developments for owner-occupiers does not go far enough, according to the Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “With this latest measure, […]

The granting of permission to this enormous development proves the city development is no longer worth the paper it is written on The decision of An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission to a Strategic Housing Development on the grounds of Holy Cross seminary in Drumcondra is deeply concerning, according to Social Democrats Dublin Central […]