News

The current state of Ireland’s prison system is appalling for both those in custody and the prison officers working there, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, the party’s justice spokesperson, said: “With over 5,300 people incarcerated, nearly 400 sleeping on floors, and violent incidents occurring daily, the system is bursting at the […]

Social Democrats Senator Patricia Stephenson today raised serious concerns about the continued failure to believe women within the Irish healthcare system, and the prevalence of medical gaslighting. Senator Stephenson said: “In the Seanad today, I called on the Minister for Health to provide a full update on the implementation of the Women’s Health Action Plan. […]

The revelation that RTÉ had to write-down €3.6 million after a failed IT project highlights the urgent need to bring the national broadcaster under the remit of the Comptroller and Auditor General, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who will sit on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), said: “This latest waste of […]

It is extremely concerning that the author of the Grace report failed to include any reference to legal submissions filed by Grace’s legal team in her final report, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s disability spokesperson, said: “Grace’s whole life has been marked by failure by the State […]

Proposing sweeping changes to asylum processes without showing how they can be achieved is a deeply cynical move, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who’s the party’s justice spokesperson, said: “It’s no coincidence that, following his absence from the Garda Representative Association conference, where rank-and-file gardaí expressed deep dissatisfaction with the state […]

Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins has strongly criticised opposition from a number of government TDs to the Education Minister’s plans for more multidenominational schools. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “Despite a pledge from Minister McEntee last week to give parents more choice by increasing the number of multidenominational schools, it is […]

Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne has today written to Minister James Browne to express concern over the proposed appointment of Brendan McDonagh as the government’s new housing tsar. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “In my letter, I reminded the Minister that Mr McDonagh’s main role in NAMA was overseeing the fire […]

Today’s hike in rail fares for thousands of passengers in the new Dublin Commuter Zone has been described as a retrograde step by Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s transport spokesperson, said: “While I am in favour of the National Transport Authority’s move towards a simpler pricing structure, the new […]

The removal of rent caps and cuts to the tenant-in-situ scheme will contribute to rising levels of homelessness, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, made his comments as a new record high for homelessness was confirmed this afternoon. “Today’s figures show there were 15,418 people living in […]

The government’s headlong rush to introduce facial recognition technology (FRT) without adequate safeguards or transparency is deeply concerning, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, the party’s Dublin Central TD and spokesperson on justice, said: “This week’s comments from the Minister for Justice about the ‘well advanced’ work on introducing facial recognition technology […]