News

It’s time for the government to finally act on their promise to address the assessment of need crisis, according to Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “According to the Disability Act 2005, an assessment of need must be completed within six months of the date the application is received. “Yet, in the […]

Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan has today announced a change in spokespeople roles in the parliamentary party to reflect Oireachtas committee positions. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “Since the election, when the Social Democrats nearly doubled our number of TDs, our team has gotten straight to work – holding the government to account on a range […]

The government must clarify who is telling the truth about €1bn in funding – it or Uisce Éireann, according to Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, the party’s Finance spokesperson, said: “Last year, then Finance Minister Jack Chamber and then Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien both claimed that the sale of AIB shares had […]

Statement on the death of Pope Francis by Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan: “Pope Francis embodied humility, compassion and charity. He was a champion for the marginalised and the poor, a powerful advocate for migrants and a fierce opponent of war. “His support for social and economic justice was particularly notable. Pope Francis consistently […]

The government must ensure that Ireland’s interests are protected in any EU response to President Trump’s trade tariffs, according to Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “President Trump has now fired the starting gun on an unprecedented global trade war, with punitive 20 per cent tariffs slapped on EU exports to the […]

Statement from Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan on the government’s decision to ram through changes to Dáil speaking rights on Tuesday, March 25: “The government is determined to ram through outrageous changes to Dáil speaking rights on Tuesday without any Dáil debate. “It is completely unprecedented for any government to refuse to facilitate a […]

The government must put pressure on financial institutions and vulture funds to pass on an anticipated interest rate cut by the European Central Bank (ECB) to mortgage holders, according to Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s finance spokesperson, said: “The ECB is expected to announce a sixth interest rate […]

This Orwellian rubbish is beneath contempt The government is attempting to rewrite Dáil rules for the benefit of Lowry Independents, according to Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “The submission by the government, on Dáil reform, is outrageous. They want to afford Lowry Independents, who are government backbench TDs, speaking slots on […]

It is deeply troubling that the Taoiseach appears to be blissfully unaware of EU funding streams that could be accessed by the State to build affordable homes, according to Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan. “The Government’s latest plan for housing is nothing more than recycled Celtic Tiger-era policy – namely, one that offers tax […]

Commenting tonight on the Ceann Comhairle’s ruling that the Regional Group cannot form a Dáil technical group for the purposes of speaking rights, Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan said: “This is a significant ruling and confirms what Opposition parties have been saying from the outset. “Government backbenchers cannot masquerade as members of the Opposition […]