News

Social Democrats Dublin City Councillors will oppose the City Budget on Monday as it would have a disproportionate impact on the city’s most vulnerable renters, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “There is a deficit in local authority funding, especially when measured against the long list of responsibilities, projects and […]

Government must pull out all the stops to avert a return to industrial action from school staff over pension dispute, which would be devastating for students, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “There is nothing new or reassuring in Fórsa simply being invited to the table – for years, school […]

The government must undertake significant preparatory work to ensure that accurate data on gender and sexual orientation is collated after the next census, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s spokesperson on health, said: “It is welcome news that Census 2027 will include questions on sexual orientation and gender. […]

More and more families are unable to afford afterschool activities for their children due to skyrocketing costs, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “Low-income families are overburdened by being shut out of unaffordable afterschool pursuits for their children, which for many serve as essential childcare – these families are often […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore will introduce an important animal welfare Bill tomorrow aimed at strengthening weak dog breeding regulations in Ireland. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on agriculture, said: “Ireland is facing a dog welfare crisis, with more than 3,000 stuck in pounds and rescue centres around the country. Abandonments have surged […]

Newly appointed Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee must waste no time in condemning Russia’s continued illegal invasion of Ukraine, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Minister McEntee must reaffirm Ireland’s commitment to and solidarity with the Ukrainian people, who have suffered horrendous conditions and human rights abuses for the […]

A lack of resources in Tusla is continuing to endanger children, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “The new HIQA report is yet another alarm bell that is loudly ringing about inadequate services at Tusla posing risks to children. “It has revealed that it took the agency more than six […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore will introduce legislation in the coming weeks to give the Agri-Food Regulator the powers it needs to obtain full transparency around grocery prices. Deputy Whitmore said: “Families are really struggling with rising energy prices and soaring grocery costs, with some parents having to choose between feeding their children or heating […]

The planned closure of the Franciscan Well brewery in Cork will be met with disappointment and concern by affected staff, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who represents Cork South-Central, said: “The announcement by Molson Coors that the brewery is to cease production in the new year is a sad day for […]

The government’s attempt to ratify the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) without pre-legislative scrutiny has been described as a deeply cynical move by Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Tánaiste Simon Harris has received Cabinet approval for the Arbitration (Amendment) Bill 2025, which will enable the ratification of the […]