News

Social Democrats councillor Caroline Winstanley has welcomed the decision to drop Lockheed Martin – a major supplier of military hardware to Israel – as one of the sponsors of this year’s Bray Air Display. Cllr Winstanley, who represents Bray West, said: “In response to mounting public pressure, the organisers of the air show have done […]

The interception of the ‘Madleen’ charity vessel and arrest of its crew by Israeli forces represents another egregious breach of international law, according to Senator Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson, who is the Social Democrats’ spokesperson on foreign affairs, said: “I would like to commend the bravery and determination of the 12 peace activists who took […]

Without a no-fault eviction ban in place, lifting the 2% rent cap will lead to increased evictions and homelessness Removing the 2% rent cap means throwing ‘generation rent’ to vulture fund landlords to pay for government housing failures, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. “Lifting the 2% rent cap is a cruel decision […]

The government will have another opportunity to stop the Central Bank facilitating the sale of Israeli war bonds after the Social Democrats announced plans to use its Dáil time to bring forward a cross-party motion on the issue, according to Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan. “Last week, while decrying the situation in Gaza as […]

This week’s deportation of children, who were deeply embedded in their local community, lacked sensitivity and compassion, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who represents Dublin South-Central and is the party’s spokesperson on education, said: “This operation, which saw five children included on a chartered deportation flight from Dublin, was cruel and […]

Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne has accused the government of spending more on homeless emergency accommodation than preventative measures. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Just days after 15,580 people were confirmed as homeless – another grim milestone – details of the financial cost of providing emergency accommodation have emerged in the […]

The shocking treatment and neglect of elderly residents in two private nursing homes, as highlighted by RTÉ Investigates tonight, must be a catalyst for change, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice said: “It was difficult at times to watch the harrowing footage broadcast this evening. Such appalling breaches are the result […]

At an international housing event today, Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne repeated his call on the government to retain rent caps, Deputy Hearne made his comments at the International Union of Tenants’ forum in the Conference Centre, Dublin, which will see more than 2,000 people taking part in the International Social Housing Festival. He said: […]

Today’s confirmation from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that Ireland is not prepared for the potentially catastrophic impact of climate change is extremely concerning, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate, said: “The findings of the first-ever National Climate Change Risk Assessment confirm our worst fears […]

The government must not repeat the same failed approach to the expansion of the prison system by treating rehabilitation as an afterthought, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on justice, said: “With a record number of people in prisons and sleeping on floors, it’s clear that our […]