News

The inquiry into scoliosis and spina bifida care in Children’s Health Ireland must be more than a box ticking exercise which results in a report devoid of solutions, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice said: “I welcome the government’s commitment to hold this public inquiry into CHI, however, it must be […]

The Dáil will debate a Social Democrats’ motion on Wednesday (October 1) calling for the abolition of the means test for Carer’s Allowance in next week’s Budget. Liam Quaide TD, who is the party’ spokesperson on social protection, said: “Pre-budget kite-flying by the government over the weekend suggests there will be modest increases in income […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore is to seek answers about the major fish kill in Cork’s Blackwater River when the incident comes under the scrutiny of tomorrow’s Oireachtas Climate Committee. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s environment spokesperson, said: “Today I met with anglers near Mallow, who have many unanswered questions about this devastating incident, […]

We’re well into the 11th hour when it comes to meeting our EU environment targets, yet the government remains asleep at the wheel, according to Social Democrats environment spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “It is now all but inevitable that Ireland will face billions in EU fines for not meeting its legally binding environmental […]

Today’s record homeless numbers are another shameful milestone and an indictment of this government, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne made his comments as a new record high for homelessness was confirmed this afternoon: “Today’s figures show there were 16,353 people living in homeless emergency accommodation at the end of August. […]

Our river life is at risk of further mass casualties if the agencies responsible for its health do not reform their response procedures, according to Social Democrats environment spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “Today’s multi-agency report asserts that a fish kill in the River Blackwater, County Cork in August which saw the deaths of […]

The government must not allow energy companies to blame network costs for skyrocketing bills this winter, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “What we’re seeing now is energy companies putting up their prices by significant amounts, citing infrastructure and network security costs for these scandalous […]

Was the Tánaiste kept in the dark or did he give partial information to the Dáil?  The Tánaiste must explain why he omitted the main reason visas for a Palestinian GAA club were refused during the summer when answering questions on this issue in the Dáil, according to Social Democrats spokesperson for sport Sinéad Gibney. […]

The government must urgently regulate the sale and marketing of nicotine pouches, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “Nicotine pouches are increasingly being used by teenagers across the country – they’re cheap, flavoured, and aggressively marketed to children. “The product is widely available in corner shops with no age restrictions, packaging […]

Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly has today slammed the government’s latest response to juvenile anti-social behaviour. Deputy Farrelly said: “I am getting sick and tired of seeing politicians and commentators conflate anti-social behaviour and criminal activity. “Anti-social behaviour is defined as nuisance or disturbance, such as hanging around or making noise – things that […]