News

The Summer Economic Statement shows this Government is out of ideas and is squandering a generational opportunity, according to Social Democrats finance spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “The Government is again expected to have a significant surplus with the potential to change people’s lives. “This will be the fifth year in a row of […]

The Minister’s remarks are equal part tone-deaf and obtuse The collapse in criminal cases in the courts is a crisis of the Justice Minister’s own making, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon said: “The Minister has said it is “deeply regrettable” that criminal legal aid solicitors have begun a two-day work […]

Serious questions must now be asked about the Irish Central bank’s role in the selling of Israeli war bonds, according to Social Democrats finance spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “The Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF), Luxembourg’s financial regulator, has refused a request from the Irish Central Bank to extend its role in […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has said she is giving a cautious welcome to Micheál Martin’s request that Cork City Council engage with landowners at Bessborough. “On two occasions in the Dáil this week, I urged the Taoiseach to intervene and ensure that apartments were not built on a potential mass grave of infants at […]

Today’s news that 100 people have now died on Irish roads in 2026 must lead to a ramp-up in action taken by the Government, Gardaí and the Road Safety Authority to make our roads safer, according to Social Democrats Transport spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. “It has become clear that the Department of Transport doesn’t have any […]

The Government’s announcement that it will establish a Commission of Investigation into the convicted sex offender Michael Shine is welcome but long overdue, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice said: “The Social Democrats welcome today’s announcement. Shine is one of the most notorious and prolific paedophiles in Irish history – a […]

A Government recommendation to suspend the sale of disposal barbecues for the duration of a Status Orange wildfire warning does not go far enough, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s environment spokesperson, said: “The devastation we saw in Killarney National Park this week – with wildfires destroying 25 […]

The Government has continued to ignore the untapped potential of solar power to mitigate against ever-rising fuel and energy prices, failing to roll out a plug-in solar scheme before summer recess, according to Social Democrats energy spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “Another summer deadline has come and gone for the roll-out of a crucial […]

Ireland has a legal and moral obligation to completely disassociate itself from Israeli bonds, which are funding its murderous war machine, according to Social Democrats finance spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “Israel is still issuing war bonds across the European Union and using this money to fund a genocide in Gaza. While our role […]

The Minister should set up a swap scheme, so families can surrender e-scooters and replace them with pedal bikes The e-scooter free-for-all is resulting in a huge increase in children receiving devastating brain injuries and must be addressed now by this government, according to Social Democrats transport spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “A new […]