News

Ireland must fight EU attempts to erode environmental and human rights protections after the European Parliament voted to exempt more companies from green reporting rules, according to the Social Democrats. Sinéad Gibney TD, the party’s enterprise spokesperson, said: “A majority of MEPs recently voted to rollback crucial human rights and environmental protections in favour of […]

The government’s action plan to promote collective bargaining lacks the ambition to provide a level playing field for workers, according to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney, who is the party’s spokesperson on employment, said: “A review of our collective bargaining laws and many other action points in the plan are welcome. However, it […]

The extension of the Basic Income for the Arts scheme is welcome, but Budget 2026 lacks detail, timelines, and confirmation of whether artists with disabilities will be accounted for, according to Social Democrats arts and culture spokesperson Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney said: “I welcome that the Basic Income for the Arts scheme will be extended […]

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 stand up to tech giants when it comes to securing our data, according to Social Democrats media spokesperson Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney said: “The Data Protection Commission has completely let us down when it comes to protecting our privacy – it is clear as day that our regulators are wholly unable to […]

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) must immediately reverse its decision not to attend this week’s Joint Oireachtas Committee on Culture, Sport and Media, according to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney, who sits on the committee and is the party’s spokesperson on sport, said: “Part of respecting sport as a public good is […]

Our national broadcaster has set an example for our European colleagues when it comes to Israel’s involvement in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, according to Social Democrats media spokesperson Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney said: “RTÉ announced today that Ireland will not take part in the 2026 Eurovision Song contest if Israel participates. “I welcome this […]

The threats presented by AI are not being taken seriously by government, which has chosen to only prepare for the potential benefits of its use, according to Social Democrats enterprise spokesperson Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney, who is a member of the Oireachtas Committee for Artificial Intelligence, said: “While establishing an AI office is a step […]

Today’s WRC ruling gives hope to many workers in the media sector who have long been denied their rights, but they shouldn’t have to battle this out in the courts, according to Social Democrats employment and media spokesperson Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney said: “We cannot avert our eyes to the glaring issues of bogus self-employment […]

The decision to defer health labelling on alcoholic drinks has all of the hallmarks of industry lobbying taking precedence over public health concerns, according to Social Democrats Enterprise spokesperson Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney said: “This government had committed to introducing health labelling on alcoholic drinks next year – but that promise has now been broken. […]