News

The government must urgently publish its audit into those children wronged by unnecessary hip surgeries, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who’s the party’s health spokesperson, said: “I first raised the issue of children enduring unnecessary hip surgeries with Taoiseach Micheál Martin back in March.  “Nearly two months later we are still […]

The government must clarify if planned restrictions on short-term lets will apply to towns located in Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) where populations are under the 10,000 threshold provided for in the new regulations, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s spokesperson on housing, said: “Under the Short-Term Letting and […]

The development of the new National Maternity Hospital must not be hindered by the same mistakes which have delayed the opening of the New Children’s Hospital, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who’s the party’s health spokesperson, said: “The National Maternity Hospital cannot become another runaway train – its development has been […]

The sky-high cost of new homes on the former Irish Glass Bottle site in Poolbeg, Dublin 4, will make it difficult, if not impossible, for agreement to be reached on the provision of affordable homes in the scheme, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “It […]

What does it say about our goal to progress women’s sports when we stumble at the simplest  barriers? Cancelling the Munster Camogie final a mere 16 hours before the match shows an appalling lack of respect for players, according to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney. “It’s an insult to these women. The players, the management […]

Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide has expressed concern after the Department of Education Inspectorate found issues with almost all admission policies used by a selection of mainstream schools to determine entry to additional needs classes. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “There are clear issues highlighted in this review – which […]

Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has criticised the decision to close Dublin city centre’s only public toilets, calling it a shortsighted move that shows just how little planning or imagination exists at the heart of government. Deputy Gannon, who represents Dublin Central, said: “Closing the only public toilets in the middle of Dublin, just as […]

The government must immediately outline how and when it intends to use the proceeds of the energy windfall tax to bring down sky-high bills for consumers, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “The Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications has revealed that approximately €189 million […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called on Iarnród Éireann to take potential disruption to major public events into account when scheduling essential rail works. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s transport spokesperson, said: “Irish Rail’s tendency to curtail DART and commuter services on bank holiday weekends to facilitate works on the line urgently needs […]

The overwhelming demand for 30 affordable homes in a south Dublin housing scheme highlights the desperation felt by house-hunters, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “The pent-up demand for housing saw 640 applications received for just 30 affordable homes at Woodbrook in Shankill, a scheme […]