News

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 […]

While words of solidarity are welcome, it’s beyond time Ireland takes action to sanction Israel, according to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney, who’s the party’s foreign affairs spokesperson, said: “We’re now over 60 days into Israel’s blockade of Gaza, one of countless blatant war crimes committed by Benjamin Netanyahu’s genocidal state in the […]

The government must clarify who is telling the truth about €1bn in funding – it or Uisce Éireann, according to Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, the party’s Finance spokesperson, said: “Last year, then Finance Minister Jack Chamber and then Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien both claimed that the sale of AIB shares had […]

Camogie players must be given the autonomy to choose whether they wear skorts or shorts during matches, according to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney. “It simply beggars belief that we have to talk about this in 2025. The Camogie Association’s requirement for girls and women to wear skorts is something that should have been relegated […]

The Dáil will debate a Social Democrats’ motion on Thursday (May 8) which will call on the government to increase the number of multi-denominational schools and phase out religious patronage in public education. Deputy Jen Cummins, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “Our motion is about parental choice in education. Parents across the country […]

A new aquarium will be opening in the former Sea Life building in Bray, County Wicklow, news which is sure to leave local residents awash with excitement, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who’s the party’s marine spokesperson and represents the Wicklow constituency, said: “I’m delighted to see an aquarium return to […]

The €530 million fine handed down to TikTok by the Data Protection Commission (DPC) is a stark reminder to social media companies that they will pay a very high price for breaching their users’ GDPR rights, according to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney, who is the party’s spokesperson on digitalisation, said: “Our personal […]

RTÉ’s investigation into the systematic sexual abuse of children by Christian Brothers should serve as a salutary reminder of the need to end the prevalence of religious orders in our schools, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who is a TD for Dublin South-Central and the party’s education spokesperson, said: “Last night’s […]

Trans people in Ireland are being denied access to timely gender-affirming care, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who’s the party’s health spokesperson, said: “Ireland’s transgender healthcare services need urgent reform and reconfiguration to adequately provide for the trans community. “In 2022, Ireland was found to have the worst healthcare system for […]