News

Pushing out the short-term let register by six months has solidified Fianna Fáil as the party of AirBnBs and landlords, not renters or those looking to buy a home, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “The short-term let register was due to come into effect next week, a year after […]

The Government must act urgently to stop renewable energy being wasted and instead use it to reduce household energy bills, according to Social Democrats energy spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore, who will introduce new legislation to address the issue. Deputy Whitmore said: “I will be introducing a Bill at the nearest opportunity to put in place a […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has said opposition to her abortion law reform legislation, from the Health Minister and Sinn Féin, is shocking and disappointing. Deputy Cairns said: “There are clear gaps in the abortion law that was introduced following the Repeal referendum which are having a negative impact on women. “That is not my […]

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s vile comments about migrants have no place in Dublin Central, one of the most diverse constituencies in the country, according to Social Democrats Dublin Central by-election candidate Daniel Ennis. Councillor Ennis said: “The last few years have seen a rise in hate and exclusion towards those who seek refuge, asylum or […]

Social Democrats TD Eoin Hayes has renewed his call on the Government to commit to the introduction of a permanent cost of disability payment in the next budget. Speaking ahead of today’s Cost of Disability Strategic Focus Network Summit, Deputy Hayes, who is the party’s spokesperson on social protection, said: “It is now time for […]

It is concerning that Ireland has failed to make progress on LGBTQIA+ rights, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson, said: “Today ILGA Europe published its annual Rainbow Map, which ranks European countries in terms of LGBTQIA+ human rights and policy protections. Ireland is once again ranked […]

The Social Democrats today announced a five-point plan to increase the supply of affordable housing in Gaeltacht areas. The Gaeltacht Housing Plan was launched in An Spidéal by Galway West by-election candidate Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich and the party’s housing spokesperson Rory Hearne TD. Speaking at the launch of the plan, Mide Nic Fhionnlaoich said: “The […]

The Minister for Education must publish the number of children currently awaiting special education school places, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “The Department of Education should work with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to make the figures publicly available in the same way that the Department of […]

The Minister for Health has buried her head in the sand and allowed the crisis in the National Ambulance Service (NAS) to worsen on her watch, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson, said: “The Minister for Health should have intervened to avert today’s work-to-rule, but instead […]

The drug trade must not be allowed to ravage our most disadvantaged areas any longer, according to Social Democrats Councillor Daniel Ennis and justice spokesperson Gary Gannon TD. Councillor Ennis said: “Over 1,000 cases of drug-related intimidation were recorded by drug and alcohol services in 2025, which affected all age groups, including children and the […]