News

The government’s ongoing efforts to persuade the European Commissioner for the Environment to extend Ireland’s derogation from the Nitrates Directive has been described as grossly irresponsible and hypocritical by Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s environment spokesperson, said: “Along with members of the Environment, Housing and Agricultural Committees, I attended […]

Expanding prison capacity will not fix systemic failures in Ireland’s justice system, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon said: “In 2024, there was a 55% increase in deaths in Irish prisons – this is not a crisis we can build our way out of. “In their annual report, the Inspector of […]

A deaf ear is being turned by the government to those suffering from the plight of homelessness, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “The homelessness crisis is undeniable – my office receives a vast volume of representation requests every day from people who are in or at immediate risk of […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has criticised the government’s failure to direct the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) to investigate suspected price gouging by energy companies. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “This government continues to sit on its hands as households across the country are crushed by some of the […]

The government’s action plan to promote collective bargaining lacks the ambition to provide a level playing field for workers, according to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney, who is the party’s spokesperson on employment, said: “A review of our collective bargaining laws and many other action points in the plan are welcome. However, it […]

The Minister for Housing’s plan to allow private developers directly deliver wastewater infrastructure would amount to an abdication of responsibility by the government, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “I have serious concerns about this proposal, which would see Uisce Éireann facilitate the development of […]

The Social Democrats have urged the Taoiseach to personally intervene to end the ongoing hunger strike by survivors of institutional abuse, which has now entered its 45th day. Deputy Jen Cummins, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “I have written to the Taoiseach on behalf of the parliamentary party to express our deep alarm and […]

Children in our most vulnerable educational settings cannot be left to pay the price for systemic teacher shortages, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “The recent survey published by the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) reporting that over half of special schools, 43% of Irish-medium schools and 35% of DEIS […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has paid tribute to social justice campaigner Sr Stanislaus Kennedy who passed away this morning. Deputy Cairns said: “For decades, Sr Stan was a tireless campaigner and advocate for some of the most marginalised people in our society, from the homeless to members of the migrant community. “Through her work […]

The rushed sell-off of AIB has already cost the taxpayer dearly as value of these shares have continued to rise, according to Social Democrats finance spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “These are the same taxpayers who suffered so much to bail out the reckless banks and incompetent governments of the Celtic Tiger. “Now, the […]