News

The government must move from climate rhetoric to climate action Today’s landmark report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a stark reminder that time is running out to avert a climate catastrophe, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “The IPCC report is a stark reminder that time is running out […]

Has Nphet been consulted about the proposed revision to the guidelines? The government has sacrificed its own public health guidelines in an effort to save Tánaiste Leo Varadkar’s political skin, according to Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall. “The government spent weeks in negotiations with the hospitality industry, about the rules that should apply to their […]

This decision is a huge blow to the delivery of safe cycling infrastructure in the South city Dublin City Council should appeal the High Court decision on the Strand Road cycle lane, according to Social Democrats councillors on Dublin City Council. Councillor Catherine Stocker said: “This decision is a huge blow to the delivery of […]

Instead of a myopic focus on deficit reduction, the government must focus on deficits in infrastructure The EU Fiscal rules are an anachronistic relic from an austerity era and must be reformed if Ireland’s economy is to rebound as we emerge from the pandemic, according to Social Democrats Finance Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “The Summer Economic […]

It is clear the Government’s policies are failing renters New research from the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) shows out-of-control rents are unsustainable and unconscionable, according to according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “Research by the RTB shows rents are out of control. Half of all renters pay more than 30pc of their take-home […]

The planning process must not be short circuited Following the announcement that the government is to replace the Strategic Housing Development (SHD) process with streamlined arrangements for large-scale residential developments (LSRDs), Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan said: “It is vitally important that the Government learns lessons from the failed Strategic Housing Development process. These […]

Serious questions must now be asked about the  real intent driving these changes The government’s last-minute amendments to the Climate Action Bill have compromised the legislation, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. On Friday, the government introduced a series of amendments to the Bill in the Seanad which will be voted on in […]

Even government ministers are confused – and it is their plan The government is rushing through legislation to reopen hospitality in a complete information vacuum, according to Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall. “The Health Committee had a briefing this morning and members were more confused afterwards than they had been before. This is no reflection […]

Several privately-run emergency accommodation centres were operating until recently without fire certs The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) should conduct independent inspections of all homeless services, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. The recommendation is contained in an Interim Report on Homelessness, published by the Oireachtas Housing Committee today. Deputy O’Callaghan said: […]

We will soon find out how serious the Government is about reforming childcare in this country The government must act to make childcare more affordable, according to Social Democrats Children’s Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore was reacting to the launch of a new campaign, ‘A New Deal for Early Years’, from SIPTU and a coalition of […]

Serious questions must be asked about whose interests are being served by this Bill Billed as this government’s landmark piece of housing legislation, the Affordable Housing Bill falls significantly short on several fronts, according to the Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “The Government’s Affordable Housing Bill is flawed on a number of fronts. The […]

This is a moment of truth for the Green Party in Government Plans for cost rental housing have been distorted by a Minister who can’t see beyond private interests, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “The Government is stretching the concept of cost rental to breaking point. A progressive vision for a new […]

Fundamentally, this government cannot be trusted The government’s u-turn on cuckoo funds is brazen and downright dishonest, according to Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall. “We are in the midst of a housing crisis that is causing untold misery all over this country. The Taoiseach has acknowledged this. He said housing is the “number 1 crisis […]

Affordability must be linked to income and ability to pay The absence of a definition of affordability is a major gap in the Affordable Housing Bill, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “It is remarkable that the Government’s Affordable Housing Bill has come to the Dáil this week without even a basic definition […]