News

What is the point in releasing a National Development Plan without conducting a screening exercise in advance The National Development Plan is nothing more than a back-of-the-envelope wish list, according to Social Democrats Finance Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “The government made history today – the first time an administration has announced a National Development Plan and […]

One deal worth €10.7m was concluded without any legal agreement A new report from Clúid Housing shows there is a clear lack of oversight of housing deals entered into between local authorities and developers, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “The report published today by Clúid Housing – ‘Planning Gain and Obligation: Promise […]

The Government’s rent pressure zone policy has failed miserably The latest rent index report from the Residential Tenancies Board is further evidence that rent levels are out of control, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “This report is further evidence that rent levels are out of control. Rents have increased by 7pc in […]

We don’t need an independent inquiry to tell us this practice is abhorrent The Defence Minister must immediately act to amend the law so that victims of rape or sexual assault in the defence forces can no longer by cross-examined by their abusers, according to Social Democrats Defence Spokesperson Gary Gannon. “The harrowing revelations of […]

This development will have an immediate negative impact on the ecosystem of our coast The decision of the Court of Appeal to allow large trawlers fish in Ireland’s inshore waters is deeply disappointing and hugely worrying, according to Social Democrats Fisheries Spokesperson Holly Cairns. A Department of the Marine Policy Directive, which banned large trawlers […]

Two children became homeless every day in August The increase in the number of families who became homeless in August is further evidence of the escalating housing crisis, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “The latest homelessness figures, published by the Department of Housing today, show the number of families living in emergency […]

The Government missed its own unambitious target of lifting 70,000 children out of poverty by the end of 2020 The Government must act on child poverty and homelessness – and set up an Oireachtas Committee so that its progress can be monitored, according to Social Democrats Children’s Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore and Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. […]

This crisis is a direct result of a failed student housing policy The government is refusing to act on the student accommodation crisis, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan T.D “There are reports of students sleeping in cars, packed into hostel dorms, couch-surfing, commuting for up to five hours per day. Others are […]

The government must outline how it will remove barriers faced by people with disabilities  The stark findings of a new ESRI report on the employment prospects of people with disabilities are shocking but not surprising, according to Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, who sits on the Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters, said: “The […]

We now have a tripartite energy crisis – in cost, demand and antiquated infrastructure The Dáil urgently needs to set aside time for a debate on surging energy prices, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore, who has written to the Business Committee requesting time to debate this matter at the earliest opportunity. “The […]