News

The suggestion, that it can be business as usual for data centres, is as deluded as it is arrogant The government must resist lobbying by tech giants for data centres and instead publish a strategic analysis of their impact on our climate action goals and energy security, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. […]

The Summer School provides a timely opportunity to discuss the challenges we collectively face and the solutions we can offer A diverse range of expert and interesting guests, discussing some of the biggest challenges we face as a society, will join the Social Democrats’ Summer School this weekend. On the programme, organised by The Left […]

It is extraordinary that €51m has already been spent on this project – before any final decision that it will proceed at the Elm Park site Spending on the new National Maternity Hospital will be examined as part of an audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG), according to Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall. […]

We’d like you to join us and some excellent guests at the SocDems Summer School, presented by The Left Bank, which runs online from Friday 27th and Saturday 28th August as we discuss what kind of Ireland we want coming out of the pandemic. It’s online and free – and we’d be delighted if you would […]

Purging tents may disappear homeless people from the streets, but it does nothing to address the underlying problem The proliferation of tents in Dublin is not a sign of the city’s “edginess”, but a sign of the government’s failure to tackle our housing and homelessness crises, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “Speaking […]

The Minister claims to be concerned by climate change, and coastal erosion, but actions speak louder than words Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien is failing coastal communities impacted by coastal erosion, according to Social Democrats Cllr. Paul Mulville. “In September 2020, Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien announced the creation of the National Coastal Change Management Strategy Steering […]

The Minister must explain why he is taking the unprecedented step of judicially reviewing a case that he actually won. Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue must explain why he is attempting to set aside parts of a conviction imposed on one of his officials for animal neglect and animal welfare breaches, according to Social Democrats Agriculture […]

Dublin is now the most expensive city in Europe in which to build Breaking the cartel on development land is the key to tackling sky-rocketing house prices, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “According to the CSO, house prices rose by 6.9pc in June – the fastest level of growth in two and […]

It is unacceptable that a postcode lottery still exists around the country The relaxation of restrictions for partners of pregnant women at the National Maternity Hospital (NMH) is a positive step that should be followed by other hospitals nationwide, according to Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns. “The NMH has said it will allow unrestricted visiting […]

In 2005, almost 600 people took up apprenticeships to become a brick layer – this year, that figure is just 63  The government has failed to address a chronic skills deficit in the construction industry, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “Prof John Fitzgerald has warned the government will have to choose between […]

While the Minister dithers, the crisis deepens The government’s failure to tackle the rental crisis means rents have continued to surge, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “Today’s daft.ie report reveals the abject failure of this government to tackle the rental crisis. Rents climbed by an average annual rate of 5.6pc in the second quarter […]

Our antiquated electricity grid cannot sustain the uncontrolled proliferation of data centres The government must introduce a moratorium on the construction of new data centres if it wants to reach its emission reduction targets, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “The growth of data centres in Ireland, and the consequent increased demand on […]

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 […]