News

The release of a new report by the EPA is a stark reminder of how far Ireland has to go to reach environmental sustainability, according to Jennifer Whitmore TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Climate Action and Biodiversity. Among the findings of the seventh EPA ‘State of the Environment Report’ are: Almost ninety per cent of […]

The refusal of the Minister for Justice to answer questions in a normal manner about the circumstances of Seamus Woulfe’s appointment to the Supreme Court has the potential to bring both the Oireachtas and the judiciary into disrepute, according to Róisín Shortall, co-leader of the Social Democrats. Speaking in the Dáil today, Deputy Shortall said: […]

The Social Democrats will bring a motion to the Dáil tomorrow to oppose increased funding for Irish greyhound racing and are calling on the Government to phase out State support for the sector. The motion, which will be debated during Private Members’ Time on Wednesday, November 25, will call for the €2.4 million in increased funding earmarked for greyhound racing […]

Social Democrats Housing spokesperson and Dublin Bay North TD, Cian O’Callaghan, has welcomed the Government’s reversal of the co-living policy. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “The ban on co-living developments is long overdue. The Government must now draw a line in the sand under these shoddy housing policies. “At the heart of the co-living plan was a […]

The non-consensual distribution of intimate images needs an urgent Government response, including the establishment of a helpline for victims, according to Social Democrats TD for Dublin Central, Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson for Education, said: “An abhorrent act took place this week when thousands of intimate images of women and young […]

Social Democrats TD for Cork South-West, Holly Cairns, has called on the Government to do more to address the alarming increase in domestic abuse and gender-based violence, which has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Speaking in the Dáil today, Holly said: “Safe Ireland have rightly called domestic abuse the ‘shadow pandemic’. During the first […]

Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has described this morning’s appearance of the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NHPDB) before the Joint Health Committee as deeply unsatisfactory, with serious questions remaining about escalating costs and delays to the National Children’s Hospital project. Deputy Shortall, who is the party’s spokesperson for Health, said: “It […]

Social Democrats Housing spokesperson and Dublin Bay North TD, Cian O’Callaghan, has reacted to the outcome of tonight’s resounding vote on the Oscar Traynor Road lands at a Dublin City Council meeting. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “I hope this vote signals a new direction for housing policy in Dublin. The message is clear – people want […]

Social Democrats Councillors will vote against the proposals for the Lawrence Lands site on Oscar Traynor Road at the Dublin City Council meeting tonight. Cllr Patricia Roe of Artane-Whitehall, where the site is located, said: “It is our view that the proposed deal between the Council and property developer Glenveagh is not a good use […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, says she is optimistic that extended Parent’s Leave will be introduced earlier than anticipated in the new year after she raised the issue with the Minister for Children this week. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson for Children, said: “At a meeting of the Children’s Committee, I […]