News

The Irish Government must demand that Israel releases the Irish citizens it is holding captive, including the sister of President Catherine Connolly, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson and Galway West by-election candidate Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich. Senator Stephenson said: “Dr Margaret Connolly, President Catherine Connolly’s sister, has been illegally detained by Israel, […]

Hiring security guards to make up the numbers in special care units is grossly inappropriate and leaves children at risk, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “Hiring security guards to plaster over staff shortages in Tusla’s most secure units will degrade standards of care for our most vulnerable children. “The […]

The Social Democrats launched the party’s Renters’ Charter in Galway today. The charter, which sets out 10 actions to deliver secure, affordable homes for renters, was launched by Galway West by-election candidate Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich, and Rory Hearne TD, the party’s housing spokesperson. Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich said: “After Dublin, Galway city is the second most […]

Residential Tenancy Board figures confirm evictions in Ireland rose to their highest levels since the famine ahead of the introduction of new rental laws, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “Minister for Housing James Browne and his Government were warned that these rental laws would cause evictions to skyrocket, increasing […]

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 […]