News

The extraordinary fragmentation of disability service delivery in the State is making it impossible to guarantee equity, plan services properly, or ensure public money is being used in the most effective way, according to Social Democrats disability spokesperson Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who was commenting after receiving a parliamentary reply showing that the HSE has […]

The Government’s ‘beds in sheds’ plan going before Cabinet today is a recipe for exploitation and substandard accommodation, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “Hiding a generation in back gardens is not a solution to our housing crisis. There are so many flaws in this half-baked plan that it’s difficult […]

The Minister for the Marine must work with traditional seaweed harvesters in Conamara to ensure that their rights – and the ecology of the coastline – are protected, according to the Social Democrats’ Galway West by-election candidate Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich. Míde made her comments as she welcomed Jennifer Whitmore TD – the party’s spokesperson on […]

The increased prevalence of multi-person room share arrangements operating under licence agreements risks dragging the country back to the dark days of the tenements, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “The Journal reported today that one former office building in Dublin city centre has been converted into a residential property […]

Ireland must join Spain and Switzerland and close its airspace to US military aircraft en route to fulfil military objectives in the Middle East, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “There were almost 250 more US military flights over Ireland since last summer than reported by the Department of […]

While a number of important improvements have been made to the Mental Health Bill during the Seanad process, the Government has still failed to address several major human rights and child protection concerns, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on mental health, said: “Seanad scrutiny has improved […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has accused the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) of being asleep at the wheel for failing to complete an investigation into suspected price gouging by energy companies. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on energy, said: “Soaring energy prices are feeding into the wider cost-of-living crisis and fuelling […]

Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice has called on the Minister for Health to act swiftly on the recommendations of the Report on Dental Services in the Healthcare System, which is being launched by the Oireachtas Health Committee today. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson and chair of the Health Committee, said: “It is […]

It’s beyond belief that the Government is boasting about its housing achievements when new figures reveal it failed to provide a single affordable purchase home in our capital last year, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “Today’s figures from the Department of Housing are caked in spin to obscure the […]

The Government’s attempt to ram through the Arbitration Bill without adequate scrutiny poses a serious threat to Ireland, according to Social Democrats Foreign Affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “The Arbitration Bill, which the government intends to guillotine after a debate of just one hour, poses a serious threat to this country. The Bill […]