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Last-minute government amendments have resulted in a Mental Health Bill that now lacks crucial human rights safeguards in favour of a retrograde model of service provision for people with acute mental health difficulties, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on mental health and disability, said: “Some government […]

Uisce Éireann is flailing aimlessly in the face of its own crippled infrastructure, which could lead to disastrous consequences, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly, who sits on the Public Accounts Committee. Deputy Farrelly said: “I’ve written to all members of PAC to secure an agreement to invite Uisce Éireann to appear before the […]

The government’s willingness to throw students under the bus by jacking up third level fees by €1,000 for the 2025/26 academic year is further proof that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael cannot be trusted, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s spokesperson on further and higher education, said: “We […]

The Minister for Finance must wake up to the threats facing our economy, according to Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who’s the party’s finance spokesperson, said: “Minister Donohoe has told the Finance Committee that the bulk of windfall corporation tax receipts are being used to fund day-to-day spending. “The government is repeating […]

The government’s vague stance on a commercial liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility is no longer acceptable or viable, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “It’s a damning indictment of the government that An Coimisún Pleanála has had to write to the Minister for the Environment asking […]

The government’s failure to properly fund schools is forcing parents into a cycle of “voluntary” contributions that are anything but voluntary, according to Social Democrats higher education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “Families across Ireland are contributing approximately €54 million at primary level alone to cover basic school costs such as heating, electricity, and day-to-day […]

It is now time for the State to right the wrongs of the past The government must urgently act to disregard historic convictions for consensual sexual activity between men, prior to decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1993, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. “It is now 32 years since homosexuality was decriminalised in Ireland – […]

There has been total radio silence from the Minister today, who has gone into hiding Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael need to get their act together and keep their commitments to students and families to reduce third level fees, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. “Yesterday, Minister for Higher Education James Lawless dropped […]

A plan must be rapidly put in place to support up to 195 staff facing mandatory redundancy from their jobs at the Intel plant in Leixlip, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly, who represents the Kildare North constituency. Deputy Farrelly said: “Section 12 of the Protection of Employment Act 1977 provides that an employer […]

Raising student contribution fees by €1,000 per year amidst a cost of living crisis will make a college education more inaccessible for some students and families, according to Social Democrats further and higher education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “This proposal comes as students and families across the country are already grappling with unprecedented […]