News

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has welcomed the selection of Cllr Elisa O’Donovan as the party’s Limerick City West candidate for the 2024 Local Elections. Deputy Cairns, who took over the leadership of the Social Democrats from co-founders Róisín Shortall and Catherine Murphy earlier this year, visited the city today to meet with members of […]

The Social Democrats reject fearmongering The Social Democrats Dun Laoghaire branch is proud to join with dozens of local community groups and other political parties in launching our ‘Dún Laoghaire Welcomes’ campaign. Social Democrats Councillor Dave Quinn said: “I want to express my warm welcome to all those people who are seeking asylum and who […]

Fingal Social Democrats councillor Paul Mulville has called for the urgent publication of the Government’s long-delayed coastal strategy report. Cllr Mulville said: “Social Democrats party leader Holly Cairns has questioned Minister Darragh O’Brien about the long-delayed report from the National Coastal Change Management Strategy Steering Group. “The Minister announced in September 2020 that his Department […]

Fingal Social Democrats councillor Paul Mulville has called for urgent action on the provision of affordable homes for the Donabate/Portrane area. Cllr Mulville said: “With home ownership dropping further under this current Government – and as the Social Democrats introduce a Private Members’ Motion demanding a reversal of policies that have contributed to this collapse […]

The Social Democrats have welcomed the co-option of Alan Curran to Galway City Council. Alan has been a member of the Galway branch of the Social Democrats since 2018 and is the co-author of the party’s cycling policy. Holly Cairns TD, leader of the Social Democrats, said: “I would like to congratulate Alan on his […]

Karl Stanley to be appointed substitute councillor for next six months Social Democrats councillor Catherine Stocker is to become the first public representative to assign a temporary substitute to her seat while she takes maternity leave under new legislation aimed at elected members of local authorities. Cllr Stocker, who represents the North Central Area on […]

Statement in relation to the resignation of Galway City Cllr. Owen Hanley Owen Hanley has resigned from Galway City Council after certain allegations were made on social media in recent days. The Party believes it is appropriate that Mr Hanley has resigned and these allegations are thoroughly investigated. When the Party first learned of allegations, […]

This is further evidence that the party in Limerick, and elsewhere, is continuing to grow Social Democrats co-leaders Catherine Murphy and Róisín Shortall have welcomed the decision of Limerick City West councillor Elisa O’Donovan to re-join the party. Cllr O’Donovan said: “I am delighted to be ‘coming home’ to the Social Democrats, having been elected […]

We can only assume efforts to fast-track this rezoning are an attempt to push it through ahead of the SHD legislation lapsing at the end of the year The rezoning of a 106-acre site in Finglas should be deferred until next year when the new 2022-2028 development plan will be published, according to Social Democrats Councillor […]

We need, as a matter of urgency, to establish a public realm taskforce on Dublin City Council  Dublin City Council’s approach to an outdoor summer is akin to the promotion of abstinence as a sex education policy – it won’t work, according to Social Democrats Councillor Catherine Stocker. “We have been told, by our political […]

Delay is indicative of the lack of resources invested in mental health services by this government The new National Forensic Mental Health Services Hospital, Portrane, is due open by September, Social Democrats Councillor Paul Mulville has confirmed. “Speaking in November, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said the new National Forensic Mental Health Services (NFMHS) facility in Portrane […]

The Social Democrats have called for the delivery of cycling infrastructure to form a major part of Kildare County Council’s County Development Plan 2023 to 2029. In a lengthy submission to the recent consultative process, the party’s four elected Kildare councillors said that cycling infrastructure could drastically reduce traffic congestion and improve quality of life […]

Social Democrats councillor Nuala Killeen has established that €1.72m remains in the kitty for the North Kildare Swimming Pool project. Cllr Killeen recently asked Kildare County Council to detail the funding accrued for the North Kildare swimming pool over the last 20 years, through development contributions, contributions by the Celbridge-Leixlip MD, and former town councils […]

The Social Democrats have made a submission to the Commission on the Defence Forces, describing it as an opportunity to evolve Ireland’s current defence and security framework so it can meet future challenges. Cian O’Callaghan TD, the party’s spokesperson for Defence, said: “Our primary recommendation is for the Commission to develop and adopt a comprehensive […]