News

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 […]

The Government’s inability to provide a clear timeline for the delivery of the 2026 Climate Action Plan is putting Ireland on a road to financial and environmental ruin, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s environment spokesperson, said: “The Climate Action Plan is crucial in setting out all the […]

The Social Democrats will bring a motion before the Dáil tomorrow (Wednesday, April 15) aimed at tackling Ireland’s soaring energy costs and providing targeted supports to struggling households. Outlining the party’s proposals, Gary Gannon TD said: “Since taking office, this Government has caused untold hurt and hardship around the country. Much of the pain being […]

The Communications Minister has no authority to order Coimisiún na Meán to carry out a review of media coverage of last week’s fuel protests, according to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney, who is the party’s media spokesperson, said: Minister Patrick O’Donovan’s call on Coimisiún na Meán to review coverage of last week’s fuel […]

The protests witnessed in Galway and elsewhere over the past week could have been avoided if the Government had acted sooner to quell public anger over soaring energy prices and cost-of-living pressures, according to Social Democrats by-election candidate Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich. Míde said: “These protests were a manifestation of how desperate many people feel as […]

This is a dangerous attempt by government to exert editorial control over the media in an attempt to muzzle it It is jaw-dropping that Media Minister Patrick O’Donovan is attempting to blame the media for the fuel protests, according to Social Democrats Media spokesperson Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney said: “This government’s handling of the fuel […]

The Government must immediately clarify if the postponement of carbon tax increases will reduce the budget for retrofitting and other climate action measures, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy and climate spokesperson, said: “We are in the middle of an unprecedented price shock when it comes the […]

Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice has welcomed that Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) have finally been added to the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening, commonly known as the heel prick test. Deputy Rice, who chairs the Oireachtas Health Committee, said: “This is an incredibly important milestone for families impacted by SCID […]

The measures announced by the government this evening do not address wider cost of living challenges, according to Social Democrats Deputy Leader and Finance spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “Yet again, the government has failed to do anything to tackle the skyrocketing cost of home heating oil – which 700,000 households are reliant on. “This government are […]

Statement from Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns: “These protests are a manifestation of how desperate many people feel as costs continue to soar – not just for fuel, but for everything in this country. “People are increasingly struggling to pay for the basics – food, energy and housing – and the government is just not […]