News

Justice Minister Jim O Callaghan’s decision not to attend the Garda Representative Association’s rank and file annual conference this year is a missed opportunity to demonstrate meaningful support for members of the force at a crucial juncture, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on justice, said: “The […]

“The ‘Sharing the Vision Implementation Plan’ is heavy on aspiration but thin on clear, concrete resource allocations, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, the party’s Mental Health spokesperson, said: “The plan’s emphasis on trauma-informed service delivery is positive but there is no detail provided on what this means in practice, or any […]

Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins has welcomed the announcement of additional special education classes, but warned that the government must match ambition with action by properly resourcing staff training and supporting families on the ground. Deputy Cummins, who represents Dublin South Central and is the party’s spokesperson on education, said: “The news of 375 new […]

Scrapping a proposed measure which would see essential funding diverted towards domestic filmmaking places the future of Irish storytelling at risk, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who’s the party’s Arts and Media spokesperson, said: “Minister Patrick O’Donovan’s decision to withdraw support for a levy which would foster Irish filmmaking talent and […]

Dire warnings that as few as 25,000 homes might only be delivered this year are further proof that the housing crisis is spiralling out of control, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “This government is following in the footsteps of its predecessor by coming out […]

The future of our housing market is at the mercy of international tariffs and trade wars due to the government’s over-reliance on institutional investors, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, the party’s Housing spokesperson, said: “Today’s MyHome report on the state of our housing market paints a stark picture of how the […]

Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) must immediately act on the findings of damning report into the use of surgical implants and implantable medical devices at its hospitals, including Temple Street, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s spokesperson on health, said: “Today’s report from the Health Information and Quality Authority […]

The Social Democrats will introduce a landmark Bill to provide for the suspension of child guardianship rights where a parent is convicted of the murder or manslaughter of the other parent. The Guardianship of Infants (Amendment) Bill 2025 would allow for an interim suspension of guardianship rights immediately on conviction, with exceptions allowed for in […]

The government must review pay-related benefits to encourage more men to avail of their paternity leave entitlement, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “A report jointly published today the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) and the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) […]

Páistecare, a public model of childcare and early years services, is the best way to address the endemic problems in the sector, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who’s the party’s spokesperson for Children, said: “It’s about time that parties across the political spectrum come together to agree a vision for the […]