News

The government’s continued reliance on fossil fuels and its failure to invest in renewable energy will make it increasingly difficult for Ireland to reach its legally binding emissions reduction targets by 2030, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s climate spokesperson, said: “In its Annual Cross Sectoral Review for […]

The removal of annual targets from the government’s housing plan shows they have no confidence in it, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “This latest housing plan from this government is even worse than I had feared. No new ideas, no ambition – not even any annual targets. “The removal […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has strongly criticised the government’s failure to engage with disability groups as part of a review of its response to Storm Éowyn. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s climate spokesperson, said: “At today’s Climate Committee meeting I was really taken aback to learn that the Department of Housing did not […]

The Minister for Transport must answer questions relating to a proposal by DAA to make an extravagant exit payment of almost €1 million to its chief executive, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s transport spokesperson, said: “The eye-watering sum of money involved in this proposed exit package for […]

The government has agreed to provide supports for a group of men and women who partook in a hunger strike for 51 days, but the State must never put abuse survivors through such an ordeal again, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “I am deeply relieved to hear that the […]

Fully updated waiting list and recruitment figures must be provided by the HSE ahead of a joint meeting of the Oireachtas Disability Matters and Health Committees to address the crisis in primary care services for young people, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on mental health and disability, said: “There […]

The Dáil will debate a Social Democrats’ Bill on Thursday calling for a legislative pathway towards reducing the voting age from 18 to 16 years. Deputy Aidan Farrelly, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “My Forty-first Amendment of the Constitution (Reduction of Voting Age to Sixteen Years) Bill 2025 is an important piece […]

Despite report after report painting a dire picture of conditions in our care system, the Minister for Children has repeatedly failed to take action, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “The severe shortage of special care unit beds is putting the lives of children in danger, and has been for […]

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 […]