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Social media giants should not be allowed to make money from hosting fraudulent ads, according to Social Democrats finance spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “Research published this morning by the Central Bank showed that more than one in three people have been the victims of fraud, and almost two-thirds have lost money as a […]

We were elected to ensure our laws are fit for purpose – and it is high time we got on with doing that job New legislation to amend our abortion law, and ensure women no longer have to travel when they receive a devastating diagnosis of fatal foetal abnormality, is being introduced in the Dáil […]

An initiative by Social Democrats senator Patricia Stephenson, which will result in free travel for three months for those fleeing domestic violence, is to be introduced as a standalone scheme by Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary. Senator Stephenson said: “This proposal, which has received broad cross-party support, was introduced last October as my very first […]

Further Government investment in services and infrastructure is vital if we want our island communities to survive and thrive, according to Social Democrats Galway West by-election candidate Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich. Míde made her comments during a visit to the Aran Islands over the weekend. Speaking from Inis Mór, she said: “It’s hard to match the […]

The quiet phasing-out of early intervention classes for autistic children is being presented by Government as inclusion, when in reality it amounts to an essential provision being scaled back to meet shortages elsewhere, according to Social Democrats disability spokesperson Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide said: “I received a parliamentary reply which shows that the Department of […]

The Government must take political responsibility and oversight of Uisce Éireann following more unplanned outages throughout the country, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who sits on the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee (PAC), said: “Outages in Kildare, Dublin, Cork, Tipperary and Wexford following a dry spell in recent days came only weeks […]

The considerable potential of solar panels to reduce Ireland’s reliance on fossil fuels – and bring down energy bills for households and businesses – continues to be a blind spot for this Government, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on energy, said: “Simon Harris revealed over the […]

It has never been clearer that Government housing policies are the leading contributor to evictions and homelessness, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “Today’s figures show there were a record 17,517 people living in homeless emergency accommodation at the end of March. Shockingly, 5,571 of them are children, another devastating […]

Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins has called on the Department of Education and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to provide urgent clarity and transparency on the true number of children in need of an appropriate school place. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “It is deeply concerning that, six months […]

Allowing 3,000 US troops to pass through Shannon Airport last month radically undermines our country’s neutrality, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “There is no other reason for the increase of US military overflights and troops through Shannon Airport than Donald Trump’s war in the Middle East. “If we […]