News

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 […]

The government’s continued reliance on fossil fuels and its failure to invest in renewable energy will make it increasingly difficult for Ireland to reach its legally binding emissions reduction targets by 2030, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s climate spokesperson, said: “In its Annual Cross Sectoral Review for […]

The removal of annual targets from the government’s housing plan shows they have no confidence in it, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “This latest housing plan from this government is even worse than I had feared. No new ideas, no ambition – not even any annual targets. “The removal […]