News

It is outrageous that the Minister for Housing is attempting to remove the safety net of emergency accommodation for those most at risk of sleeping rough, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “Government amendments to the Housing and Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026, which will overhaul Ireland’s homelessness legislation, […]

After just seven months, the number of women killed this year has already exceeded last year’s total after the violent death of a woman in Killarney this week, according to the Social Democrats’ Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “These are not just numbers or statistics – these are real women who lived real lives, lives […]

When it comes to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, Ireland is only taking baby steps instead of the giant strides needed to help us reach our legally binding targets by 2030, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s climate spokesperson, said: “The latest figures from the Environmental Protection Agency […]

Recent reporting from Investigate Europe has exposed yet another scandal centred in Ireland’s financial system, according to Social Democrats finance spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “A major Irish licensed gambling operator, Soft2Bet, has been linked to a sprawling black market gambling empire operating across the globe. “Irish licences were instrumental in giving legitimacy to […]

Today’s opening of the NCSE portal for 2027/28 special education places – at a time when schools are shut for the summer and many families may be away on holiday – could result in parents missing the September deadline for applications, Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins has warned. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s education […]

The gutted version of the Occupied Territories Bill that the Government is ramming through the Oireachtas will not effectively sanction Israel, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “It is unforgivable that the Government has gutted the Occupied Territories Bill and diluted its impact by excluding a ban on services. […]

The latest Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures on electricity consumption by data centres have been described as alarming, but not surprising, by Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “The CSO has confirmed that data centres accounted for 23% of all metered electricity in 2025. This is a […]

The Minister for Housing must implement emergency measures to prevent the housing disaster from robbing any more young people of their futures here, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “The social contract has been broken for those who dream of owning a home. Hundreds of thousands of lives have been […]

Social Democrats TD Daniel Ennis has praised Roberto ‘Pico’ Lopes following his return from the World Cup with Cape Verde, and used the moment to renew his call on the Government for real investment in League of Ireland academies, grassroots and communities. Deputy Ennis, who is the party’s spokesperson on sport, said: “Coming from a […]

The Dáil will debate a Social Democrats’ motion on Wednesday (July 8) calling for the right of every adult with an intellectual disability to live as independently as possible, with the supports they need, in their own community. Liam Quaide TD, the party’s disability spokesperson, said: “Our motion is informed by the testimony of disabled […]