News

Government continues to prop up an industry that is in terminal decline  Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has renewed her call for State funding to the greyhound industry to be phased out after the Government received a detailed report on how revenues from the betting tax are spent. “The report, which was compiled on behalf […]

Young farmers are an endangered species – we need urgent action  The government needs to take the issues facing rural Ireland seriously and provide sufficient and sustainable funding to help farmers overcome the climate crisis, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns was commenting after meeting members of Macra na Feirme, who gathered […]

TDs urged to support Gary Gannon’s amendment to Government motion today The proposed deployment of an Irish Naval Service vessel to the Mediterranean as part of an EU mission must prioritise providing assistance to persons in distress at sea, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on Defence, […]

Questions must be asked about the extent of the price gouging in Ireland The Taoiseach must clarify if he met with energy companies and asked them to reduce prices for consumers, according to Social Democrats Energy Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “In February, I urged the Taoiseach to deliver on his promise to meet with energy companies […]

Oireachtas Health Committee is the most appropriate forum to analyse review group’s report on abortion services Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has described comments by the Taoiseach on the review group’s report on abortion services as deeply unhelpful. “The health and wellbeing of women must be front and centre of any recommendations to make legislative […]

State’s law and order response to drug addiction has been a catastrophic failure Solutions to crime can only be found if the Government tackles the underlying causes of poverty and deprivation, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who represents Dublin Central, made his comments as statements on organised crime were heard in […]

Low pay is the driving factor behind high staff turnover levels Further State investment in childcare will be required to tackle the growing recruitment crisis in the Early Years sector, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Children, said: “The results of SIPTU’s Early Years (Childcare) Survey […]

The Tánaiste should tell us whose version of events he believes – Mr Watt’s or his officials The Tánaiste must address the clear contradictions in the accounts of the secretary general of the Department Of Health, Robert Watt, and his senior officials on the circumstances surrounding the botched secondment of Dr Tony Holohan to Trinity […]

It is not lack of money that is preventing the State building the homes we need – it is catastrophic mismanagement by the Minister  Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan says it is disappointing but not surprising that the Government has yet again failed to meet its targets for the delivery of social and affordable homes. […]

Increased tax rate of 10% is needed to encourage owners of empty homes to sell or rent their properties  The Social Democrats will bring a Private Members’ Motion before the Dáil this Wednesday, April 19, calling for the introduction of an effective Vacant Homes Tax to help increase the supply of properties to rent or […]

Social Democrats previously called for review of Professional Master of Education course to help increase the supply of teachers  Schools will continue to experience serious teacher shortages when the new term begins next September if the Minister for Education fails to address the ongoing recruitment crisis, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, […]

US President’s visit a reminder of our countries’ close ties and shared history This week’s visit by President Biden continues a long tradition of friendship and partnership between Ireland and the people of the United States of America, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “Mr Biden will be the fourth US President to address […]

Politicians, from every party, must also stop talking out of both sides of their mouths The report of the Citizens’ Assembly on biodiversity loss must be a watershed moment that forces the State to take protective action, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “The report of the Citizens’ Assembly is stark – but hopeful. To […]

This huge increase in the number of people facing into homelessness is unprecedented The latest report from the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) shows there will be a tsunami of evictions in the coming months, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “The RTB report states that 4,329 notices-to-quit were served to tenants between October […]