News

Animal welfare charities and rescue centres are being left to pick up the pieces in the absence of proper dog breeding regulations, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on agriculture, said: “Ireland holds the dubious distinction of being the puppy farm capital of Europe, with 30,000 dogs […]

The Health (Amendment) (Home Support Providers) Bill 2025, which was published today, falls short of addressing the issues facing the home care sector, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice said: “I welcome today’s announcement on home care regulation after years of false starts. Regulation of home care has been a Programme for […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has paid tribute to young disability campaigner Cara Darmody ahead of a cross-party Opposition motion on Assessments of Needs (AONs), which will be debated in the Dáil this evening. Deputy Cairns said: “Through her tireless advocacy on behalf of her two younger brothers, Cara has helped keep the spotlight on […]

The three-year extension of the nitrates derogation must be used to draw up plans for its total phase out after it expires, according to Social Democrats agriculture and environment spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “I am hugely concerned by the decision to extend the nitrates derogation – because, if past performance is anything to […]

Online safety measures being brought to Cabinet this week fall short of effective solutions to the dangers our most vulnerable face online, according to Social Democrats communications spokesperson Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney said: “It’s welcome that the government has acknowledged that online safety is of critical importance as we continue to lead increasingly digital lives, […]

The government’s new housing plan contains no measures to improve transparency in the property market, resulting in higher prices and more obstacles for people trying to buy a home, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “A study carried out by Myhome.ie and Bank of Ireland […]

The CORU regulation process for counselling and psychotherapy must be immediately paused as it weakens professional standards and protections for the public, according to Social Democrats mental health spokesperson Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide said: “CORU, the State’s health regulator, has adopted a position that is entirely at odds with the main representative groups for counselling […]

Yesterday’s attack on our peacekeepers in southern Lebanon was a grave violation of UN Security Council resolution 1701, according to Social Democrats defence spokesperson Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney said: “The protection of our defence forces partaking in a UNIFIL mission in Lebanon should always be our highest priority when it comes to peacekeeping. “Any attack […]

Allowing Israel to participate in Eurovision 2026 is an abhorrent decision by the European Broadcasting Union, according to Social Democrats media spokesperson Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney said: “RTÉ is to be commended for following up on its commitment to withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest if Israel was allowed to take part. “It is outrageous […]

Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide, the party’s spokesperson on mental health and disability, has cautiously welcomed proposals by the HSE for a new 75-bed acute mental health service on the St Stephen’s Hospital campus in Glanmire. Deputy Quaide, who worked as a clinical psychologist in the North Cork mental health services from 2013 to 2021, […]