News

The Government’s refusal to allow time next week for a Dáil debate on Ireland formally recognising the State of Palestine – to coincide with International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People – has been described as a missed opportunity by Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on foreign […]

Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has written to nearly 50 Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael parliamentary party members, who signed petitions to expel the Russian ambassador due to Russian human rights abuses, asking them to support his party’s motion to expel the Israeli ambassador on similar grounds. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on […]

The Minister for Education has failed to treat the teacher recruitment crisis in our schools with the urgency it deserves, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “A survey of over 1,000 primary and special schools conducted last month found there were more than 800 vacant […]

The Government is failing miserably to address the issue of generational poverty, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on Social Protection, said: “An analysis of data included in the Pobal Deprivation Index reveals that the number of people living in areas classed as ‘very disadvantaged’ or ‘extremely […]

The Government must commit to implementing in full the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Drug Use, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. “I have long held the view that criminalising addiction is not the way forward. I therefore welcome the assembly members’ majority vote in favour of a comprehensive health-led response to personal […]

At tomorrow’s emergency summit of European leaders, the Taoiseach must condemn EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s decision to offer unqualified support to Israel’s ethnic cleansing in Gaza, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon said: “On Friday, Ursula von der Leyen had a valuable opportunity to make a positive […]

Budget 2024 missed an opportunity to make primary and secondary school education in Ireland genuinely free, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “Although the provision of free schoolbooks up to Junior Certificate level is welcome, it is baffling that the Government chose to take a […]

Social Democrats Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Gary Gannon has today (Monday, October 9) written to the Ceann Comhairle and the Oireachtas Business Committee requesting time be set aside in the Dáil this week to discuss the escalating violence in Israel and Gaza. Deputy Gannon said: “The Government must facilitate statements in the Dáil this week on […]

The impending withdrawal of voluntary overtime by gardaí next month underscores the fragility and inadequacy of the Minister for Justice’s policing plan for Dublin city centre, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who represents Dublin Central, said: “Following media reports of a spate of vicious assaults in Dublin during the summer, Minister […]

Absence of a defined budget for rehashed proposals is concerning  A new safety plan announced today by the Minister for Justice to tackle street crime in Dublin completely lacks substance and is full of rehashed proposals, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is a TD for Dublin Central, said: “While it […]