News

It’s past time the government took action on reversing the deterioration of Dublin’s city centre, according to Social Democrat’s justice spokesperson Gary Gannon, who represents Dublin Central. Deputy Gannon said: “I welcome this proposal as a step in the right direction – the GPO is a symbol of our heritage, and it should be a […]

Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins has called on the Department of Education to scrap plans to review the designation of special schools ahead of the new term in September. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “Schools catering for children with mild general learning disabilities are being put under pressure by the government […]

Ireland and its European Union colleagues must not be dragged into US war games, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Rather than engaging in high level diplomatic channels to lower the risk of violence and war, the US has chosen a tactic of escalation, bringing the Middle East, an […]

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael’s hyperfixation on satisfying investor funds has taken Ireland’s housing market to lows once unimaginable, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Speaking on the release of the Daft.ie Q2 2025 Residential Property Price report, which shows that house price inflation is at a 10-year high, Deputy Hearne said: “House […]

Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide has accused the HSE of attempting to conceal the scale of the crisis in primary care psychology services. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on mental health and disability, said: “I am deeply frustrated with the unanswered or partly answered parliamentary questions on this matter. The responses I received indicate a […]

The government decision to end a payment for healthcare workers with debilitating Long Covid is an abandonment of staff who gave their all during the height of the pandemic, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide, who previously worked as a clinical psychologist with Long Covid services. Deputy Quaide said: “159 healthcare workers with Long […]

The results of today’s Global Youth Participation Index show conditions are ripe for the introduction of a reduced voting age, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “Ireland has ranked 18th out of over 140 countries worldwide in terms of youth participation in political, economic and civic life – those aged […]

Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice has described today’s responses from CHI at the Oireachtas Health Committee as deeply disappointing and completely inadequate. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson and chair of the Health Committee, said: “From what we heard this morning, it would seem that some in CHI still do not appreciate the […]

Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney has called on the government to come clean on whether it plans to defer the introduction of mandatory alcohol warning labels, which are due to come into effect in May 2026. Deputy Gibney, who is the party’s spokesperson on enterprise, said: “All the indications are that the government intends to […]

A combination of inaction and a nonsensical approach to housing provision has led to the Central Bank’s downgrading of an already horrible delivery estimate, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “This morning, the Minister for Housing said that, in the wake of recent government policies, ‘rents may go up… I […]