News

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 […]

We cannot tolerate a situation in which certain retailers or suppliers may be engaging in cartel behaviour or price gouging Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore has written to the Irish Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) requesting that it opens an investigation into reports of price gouging and cartelism by motor fuel suppliers in […]

Extraordinary measures must be taken to insulate ordinary workers and families from Putin’s price shocks A maximum price cap on fuel must be introduced to stop the unsustainable increases in prices, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “A maximum cap on fuel prices is the only way the government can ease the burden […]

Oil prices are now at record levels while the wholesale price of gas has doubled in just a week The government must immediately act to reduce the cost of fuel – and must also ensure that price gouging at the pumps is not taking place, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “The cost […]

This shows the depraved depths of the housing crisis, where grossly exploitative landlords expect sexual favours in return for putting a roof over people’s heads Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan is today launching legislation which would make demanding sex for rent a criminal offence. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “As the rental crisis deepens, there have […]

Studies have indicated that Ireland is home to between 10pc and 20pc of the world’s basking shark population It is hugely welcome that basking sharks are finally going to be a protected species in Ireland, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore was commenting after Heritage Minister Malcolm Noonan announced the government […]

The Minister must provide assurances, grounded in something other than his cheery optimism, that targets can be achieved Environment Minister Eamon Ryan must clarify if the government will meet its climate action targets this year or not, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “Yesterday, we had a further devastating report from the Intergovernmental […]

It is beyond infuriating that, as elected local representatives, we are trying to act in the public interest and are being frustrated at every turn The capacity of Dublin City Councillors to shape the Dublin City Development Plan has been completely undermined by a Ministerial power grab, according to Social Democrats Councillor Catherine Stocker. Cllr […]

The Minister’s own Sláintecare progress report revealed key areas of the strategy are nowhere near implementation The new Waiting List Action Plan will not work as it fails to address structural issues within the health service, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “The €350 million investment in tackling waiting lists, that was announced […]