News

The Social Democrats have said today’s findings of low waste recycling rates among householders and businesses will not get better unless drastic action is taken to improve both public awareness and recycling processes. “We need to assist and educate householders and businesses to play their part by recycling more. But far more importantly, we need […]

Responding to reports today that two Dublin schools have been shut down after structural problems were discovered in the buildings, Social Democrats Councillor Cian O’Callaghan said: “There is no excuse for the inaction by the Department – there should have been immediate inspection and audits of all similar schools that were built by Western Building […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD today called on the Minister for Health to intervene to compel the HSE to release smear slides to women affected by the CervicalCheck controversy so they can be independently reviewed. “In our recent Alternative Budget we proposed that the Government set aside funding for a deposit and return scheme […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD today called on the Minister for Health to intervene to compel the HSE to release smear slides to women affected by the CervicalCheck controversy so they can be independently reviewed. “The favourable tax treatment that the government offers international investment funds is squeezing first time buyers out of the […]

Social Democrats Spokesperson on Energy and Climate Change, Councillor Cian O’Callaghan has called on the government to establish a waste regulator to oversee price controls for bin collections. “At the moment, there is absolutely no transparency in the sector. We don’t know who owns many of the companies or what their profits or losses are. […]

Social Democrats Spokesperson on Energy and Climate Change, Councillor Cian O’Callaghan, has said the onus on ending the use of non-recyclable plastics must be placed squarely at the door of producers and supermarkets pushing plastics on consumers. “Producers and retailers should lead the way and start phasing out now all packaging that can’t be recycled […]

Social Democrats Dublin Bay North Cllr Cian O’Callaghan said: “Reports that the government want to shelve plans for a directly elected Mayor for Dublin and instead proceed with a directly elected Mayor in Cork as a pilot are baffling.” “We need unified democratic leadership of local government in Dublin and this postponement will only further […]

Social Democrats Councillor Cian O’Callaghan has welcomed the decision by An Bord Pleanála today to grant planning permission for the Baldoyle to Portmarnock cycling and walking route “This new infrastructure will benefit commuters, local residents, visitors to the area and tourists. With large scale development taking place in Baldoyle, Portmarnock and surrounding areas it is […]

Social Democrats Spokesperson on Energy and Climate Change, Cllr Cian O’Callaghan, today called on the utilities regulator to do more to educate the public about the savings to be made from switching suppliers. “The spin from the Regulator is that we have some of the highest switching rates in Europe but that ignores the fact […]

Social Democrats from across the Fingal County Council area have today demanded that the next mayor of the county ends the outright ban on political meetings in community centres. Under current Fingal County Council policy, community centres may not be used for political meetings. The outgoing mayor, Labour’s Cllr Mary McCamley shut down a debate […]