News

The government’s dilution of short-term rental restrictions is a slap in the face for renters, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “The changes to regulations, that were agreed by coalition leaders last night on short-term lets, will now restrict new rules to towns with populations of more than 20,000 – […]

The number of mental health patients being held in prisons has reached crisis levels, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice said: “I visited Cork Prison at the end of October and was very concerned about its conditions, especially for vulnerable prisoners experiencing severe mental health difficulties. “The prison’s governor and staff […]

Hi everyone, Welcome to the Social Democrats Conference, coming to you live from Cork City. It is so good to be here and to see all of you. I also want to welcome everyone tuning in at home. Thank you Cian, for your introduction. I’ve said it before and I’ll … never stop saying it, […]

Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee must immediately intervene in the case of Irish man Seamus Culleton’s detention by ICE in the US, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Seamus Culleton has been in ICE detention in the US since September of last year and has been subject to […]

Reports that ICE deportation flights carrying Palestinians to Isreal are using Shannon Airport to refuel are deeply disturbing, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Details of these deportations describe Palestinians as having their ankles shackled as they are flown across the world to be abandoned in an apartheid state. […]

The Social Democrats’ seventh National Conference takes place in Cork this weekend (February 6&7) at a time of significant growth for the party. Speaking ahead of this evening’s programme – which will close with a keynote address by the Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland, Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid – party leader Holly Cairns said: “This is […]

Yesterday’s Irish Times/Ipsos B&A poll shows that there is a clamour for genuine change in housing policy among voters, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “When almost two thirds of all voters believe that the government’s tenure is only causing the housing crisis to spiral further out of control, you […]

Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon and Councillor Daniel Ennis have expressed their shock at the serious incident which took place on North Earl Street in Dublin’s North Inner City this afternoon. Deputy Gannon said: “My thoughts are with the individual who lost their life today and their loved ones. This is a shocking and tragic […]

The Social Democrats today launched a new proposal for the creation of a State Construction Company that would deliver homes at the scale required to solve Ireland’s deepening housing crisis. Under the party’s proposal, a State Construction Company would operate alongside existing market delivery of housing, playing a significant role in providing more affordable and […]

The government is acting as if there is a ceasefire in Gaza despite Israel’s ongoing killing of innocent Palestinians, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Israel continues to murder with impunity while European leaders talk about the progress of the Gaza peace agreement. “There is no peace; last night, […]