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Current exclusion policies applied to institutional abuse redress schemes are creating a hierarchy of survivors, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “Thousands of survivors continue to face barriers to recognition and support because of arbitrary eligibility rules and exclusions. “Far too many survivors are still […]

The Government cannot continue to progress controversial Public Services Card legislation in the upcoming Social Welfare Bill until key data protection concerns are addressed, according to Social Democrats TD social protection spokesperson Eoin Hayes. Deputy Hayes, who is the party’s Social Protection spokesperson, made his comments following a meeting of the Oireachtas Committee on Social […]

The Government must spend less time trying to find loopholes to dodge EU fines and more time making genuine attempts to reduce our emissions, according to Social Democrats climate spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “Projections by the Environmental Protection Agency show an overall reduction of 25% in  greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 is possible […]

Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson will introduce a Bill today to give greater powers to prevent munitions being flown through Shannon Airport and Irish airspace, along with a suite of other measures which will seek to prevent ICE deportation flights stopping in Ireland. Senator Stephenson said: “This Bill seeks to uphold Irish neutrality, […]

The Government cannot continue to ignore the untapped potential of solar power to mitigate against ever-rising fuel and energy prices, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, made her comments following the publication of the Wholesale Price Index for April 2026 by the Central Statistics Office (CSO). […]

The Government’s omission of a ban on services from the Occupied Territories Bill is neither moral nor legal, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “The Government has been dragged kicking and screaming by public and opposition pressure to take any amount of credible action on Palestine. I welcome that […]

The Minister for Education’s call for schools to ease the financial burden on parents is tone deaf and ignores the financial reality facing schools across the country, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “Education Minister Hildegarde Naughton’s suggestion that schools should sort out their own policies on pupil laptops is […]

The Government must get ahead of the threats posed to employment by AI, according to Social Democrats enterprise spokesperson Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney, who sits on the Oireachtas AI Committee, said: “Today, the International Monetary Fund confirmed what we have suspected for some time now – that Artificial Intelligence is going to have a dramatic […]

“These by-election results have been monumental for the Social Democrats. They demonstrate the momentum for the party that we have seen since the general election is not just confined to opinion polls. It has now been reflected in polling booths. “Daniel Ennis ran an extraordinary campaign in Dublin Central, topping the poll and winning the […]

“To say this has been a good day for the Social Democrats is an understatement. This is a stunning result for Daniel – and is a testament to his hard work and hugely positive campaign. “Daniel ran an extremely energetic, hopeful and inclusive campaign which really resonated with voters. He is incredibly hard working, compassionate […]