News

We cannot – and should not – tolerate a situation in which hundreds and thousands of calves are being bred to suffer from the moment of birth The shocking maltreatment of bull calves highlighted by RTÉ Investigates tonight is a direct consequence of Government policy to encourage intensification and expansion within the dairy sector, according […]

This fig leaf measure further exposes the government’s incompetent handling of the housing disaster The delay in introducing a right of first refusal for renters, when their home is put up for sale, is further evidence the government is making up their housing policy as they go along, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian […]

Parents are sick and tired of forking out huge sums of money on schoolbooks that will have to be recycled Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called on the Government to address the high cost of schoolbooks for parents of secondary school students. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “I know […]

From an animal welfare and biodiversity perspective, I am strongly opposed to hare coursing Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called on the Minister for Heritage not to issue any licences for the upcoming coursing season after raising concerns about the welfare of pregnant hares. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate action […]

Long term planning must be a central function of government – and this has sadly been lacking. The summer economic statement has again highlighted the government’s failure to sufficiently plan for the country’s future needs, according to Social Democrats Finance Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “The headline figures reflect a healthy fiscal position – but they mask […]

With housing continuing to dominate the political agenda, Deputy O’Callaghan will play a key role in proposing workable solutions to the crisis Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has welcomed the appointment of Dublin Bay North TD Cian O’Callaghan as the party’s deputy leader. Deputy Cairns said: “I am so happy to announce that Cian will […]

Minister for Housing must immediately reinstate ban on no-fault evictions  An increasingly dysfunctional rental market is contributing to record levels of homelessness, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: The latest figures show there are now 12,441 people living in homeless emergency accommodation. This is the […]

More than a dozen issues of serious concern are outlined in Inland Fisheries Ireland’s annual report and financial statements for 2021 Inland Fisheries Ireland must address serious issues of concern when representatives from the State body appear before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) next week, according to Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy. Deputy Murphy, who […]

State has failed to provide legal protection for 217 out of 423 sites identified as requiring formal designation as Special Areas of Conservation  The Government’s green credentials lie in tatters after Ireland was found guilty by the European Court of Justice of multiple breaches of laws to protect nature, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer […]

Housing Minister is presiding over a dysfunctional rent control system and an under-resourced Residential Tenancies Board The latest report from the Residential Tenancies Board is further evidence that rents in Ireland are out of control, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “By the end of […]

Dereliction, heavily littered streets and poor lighting are making our capital city feel unsafe Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has called for a multi-agency response to unacceptable levels of violent assaults in Dublin city centre. Deputy Gannon, who represents Dublin Central, said: “Last weekend’s unprovoked attack on Ukrainian actor Oleksandr Hrekov on Eden Quay is […]

Government parties must present a united front before law is discussed at plenary session of European Parliament next month The Government must be unequivocal in its support for Nature Restoration Law following today’s rejection of the proposed legislation by the European Parliament’s Environment Committee, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is […]

How the Data Protection Commission goes about its tasks is already opaque Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy has criticised a Government amendment to a Justice Bill that would create confidential processes for data protection investigations. “I share the concerns expressed today by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) in relation to the amendment proposed […]

The worst thing, for RTÉ and its staff, would be for a drip-feed of information to characterise the inquiry into this debacle Dee Forbes’ resignation statement raises further serious questions, and it is important she attends the Public Accounts Committee on Thursday to answer them, according to Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy. Deputy Murphy, who […]