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Stark Central Statistics Office figures which show house prices have increased by €200,000 in just ten years are the product of disastrous policy decisions, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “How can anyone be expected to have a future living in this country when their hopes of owning a home […]

Time should be set aside in the Dáil next week so the Minister for Health can provide an urgent update on the latest delay to the National Children’s Hospital, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s spokesperson on health, said: “This project is not just one the most significant […]

It’s beyond outrageous that the Israeli Defence Forces has fired on a peaceful European Union delegation in the West Bank, which included two Irish diplomats, according to Social Democrats Foreign Affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Irish lives were put in danger today, marking a clear escalation from the IDF and its unwillingness to […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called on the Minister for Agriculture to come up with an eradication plan for bovine tuberculosis (bTB) that does not involve the culling of badgers. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on agriculture, said: “A recent investigation by the Journal found that of the 10,301 badgers culled in […]

The European Union’s belated decision to review its trade agreement with Israel, while welcome, will not come soon enough to stave off the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza, according to Social Democrats senator Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson, who is the party’s spokesperson on foreign affairs and trade, said: “With dire warnings from the UN that […]

The government must stop breaking the law when it comes to protecting vulnerable children and act on the latest report recommending reform of the care system, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who’s the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “An external review of special care commissioned by Tusla has found that the […]

It is outrageous that the Seanad has yet to dedicate debate time to discussing the ongoing genocide in Gaza, according to Social Democrats Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Incredibly, there has yet to be a dedicated debate in the Seanad to discuss the genocide in Gaza. This is outrageous and inexplicable. “At […]

Today, Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly will introduce the Reduction of the Voting Age to Sixteen Years Bill 2025, to provide for a legislative pathway for the reduction of the age at which a person may vote from 18 to 16 years of age in Ireland. Deputy Farrelly, who’s the party’s spokesperson for children, equality […]

The latest Daft.ie report highlights the sheer folly of the government’s intention to make changes to Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs), according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Today’s Daft report paints the bleakest picture yet of the cost of renting a home in Ireland. The figures […]

Housing Minister James Browne’s admission that the government is considering a State-led saving scheme to help finance the delivery of homes – an initiative previously proposed by the Social Democrats – has been welcomed by Rory Hearne TD. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “I have today written to the Taoiseach, Tánaiste […]