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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 […]

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 […]

Homeowners must see a reduction in their mortgage interest rates, according to Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s new spokesperson on finance, said: “The European Central Bank decision to reduce interest rates by 0.25 per cent today should mean relief for under pressure mortgage holders. “Homeowners have been under […]

An analysis of Budget 2025 by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) provides further evidence that the Government have prioritised electoral gain over lifting vulnerable groups out of poverty, according to Social Democrats finance spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “Despite the headline grabbing short-term measures announced on Tuesday, the ESRI has warned that poverty among the […]

Today’s budget is a giveaway on steroids that is bad for the public and bad for the State, according to Social Democrats finance spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “Budget 2025 has just one overriding purpose – self-preservation of the Government parties. “It bears all the hallmarks of a Bertie Budget – hardly surprising when you consider that […]

The €6.9bn in additional expenditure outlined in today’s Summer Economic Statement must be underpinned by proper workforce planning for future needs, according to Social Democrats finance spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “Problems highlighted in the Summer Economic Statement are mostly the result of consistent failures by Government to invest in critical infrastructure and lack of planning for […]

The findings of an Oxfam report into global inequality presents an opportunity for a renewed debate on the need for a wealth tax in Ireland, according to Social Democrats finance spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “Oxfam’s report, which has been released as political leaders gather at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week, makes for stark […]

The Government’s budget is a missed opportunity to make huge and lasting improvements in the lives of those who need it most, according to Social Democrats Finance Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “The housing disaster is the biggest challenge we face as a country. Nothing in this budget indicates that there will be any change in Government […]

Long term planning must be a central function of government – and this has sadly been lacking. The summer economic statement has again highlighted the government’s failure to sufficiently plan for the country’s future needs, according to Social Democrats Finance Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “The headline figures reflect a healthy fiscal position – but they mask […]

Even though Quinn Insurance is now legally defunct, its toxic legacy persists It is unacceptable that details of the €100 million cost of the administration of Quinn Insurance have not been published, according to Social Democrats Finance Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “The collapse of Quinn Insurance cost the State in excess of €1 billion at a […]