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Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins has slammed reports of third level students having to endure shocking living conditions in seriously overcrowded accommodation. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s spokesperson on further and higher education, said: “I am appalled at revelations that postgraduate students attending Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) in Limerick have been crammed […]

The threat posed to Ireland’s bee population by Asian hornets requires a coordinated national response, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s environment spokesperson, said: “The recent successful removal of an Asian hornet nest in Cork is a positive development and a testament to the hard work of local […]

It is essential that the government takes urgent measures in the upcoming budget to halt the rate of food price inflation, which is pushing households to the brink, according to Social Democrats food spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “Cheese, milk, butter and bread – the essentials – have all continued to rise in price, […]

Our national broadcaster has set an example for our European colleagues when it comes to Israel’s involvement in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, according to Social Democrats media spokesperson Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney said: “RTÉ announced today that Ireland will not take part in the 2026 Eurovision Song contest if Israel participates. “I welcome this […]

The rental crisis is going from bad to worse thanks to failed government housing policy and lack of protections for tenants, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “The latest figures from the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) reveal the true scale of the rental disaster, which […]

The government must commit funding in the upcoming Budget to address pollution at Lady’s Island Lake, Co. Wexford, according to Social Democrats environment spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “I’ve submitted three parliamentary questions to the Minister of State for Biodiversity seeking clarity on funding, leadership and cross-departmental coordination when it comes to Lady’s Island […]

The European Commission President’s proposed sanctions on Israel, while a belated step in the right direction, fall well short of what’s required to stop the genocide in Gaza, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “We are now almost two years into this devastating conflict, which has left more than […]

The findings of a report on the treatment of disability and carer’s benefit applicants are a damning indictment of a system that routinely fails the very people it’s supposed to support, according to Social Democrats social protection spokesperson Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide said: “According to the Citizens Information Board (CIB) report, people applying for disability […]

Decisions made in relation to Gaza and Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly over the next few weeks will serve as a marker of the international community’s credibility and humanity, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “With the Trump administration’s refusal to grant visas to the Palestinian delegation […]

Next month’s budget must include targeted measures to tackle deeply concerning child poverty levels, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “New research from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) shows that more than 225,000 children are now subject to income poverty, when housing […]