News

Accelerated decarbonisation of our bus and rail fleet, along with improvements to existing public transport services, will be required to reduce Ireland’s reliance on fossil fuels and help us meet our climate action targets, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate, said: “A report from the […]

The Transport Minister must explain why the replacement of Irish Rail’s IT system is such an omnishambles and who is responsible, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who sits on the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee, said: “Last month, it was revealed that Irish Rail had written down the value of a new […]

Social Democrats by-election candidate Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich has called on the Minister for Transport and members of the Joint Committee on Transport to visit Galway to see first-hand the negative impact that traffic congestion is having on the city. Míde said: “Along with the cost of living and housing crises, Galway’s traffic congestion problem is […]

An initiative by Social Democrats senator Patricia Stephenson, which will result in free travel for three months for those fleeing domestic violence, is to be introduced as a standalone scheme by Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary. Senator Stephenson said: “This proposal, which has received broad cross-party support, was introduced last October as my very first […]

Today’s news that the Galway Ring Road has been granted approval by An Comisiún Pleanála must mark an end to delays to other transport solutions in Galway City, according to Social Democrats Galway West by-election candidate Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich. Míde said: “The news of the ring road approval should mean that shovel-ready transport projects we […]

The government’s National Transport Plan is completely lacking in ambition, according to Social Democrats transport spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “The government’s National Transport Plan lacks all ambition and its rollout of public transport projects is unacceptably slow. “Luas Finglas, which received planning permission this month, won’t start construction until 2029. This is not […]

Uber’s plan to introduce fixed-rate fares to their service presents an existential threat to taxiing, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins and transport spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Cummins said: “Taxi drivers are being pushed out of their livelihoods by the greed of multinational corporations, who are allowed to act with impunity despite the implications […]

The Minister for Transport must answer questions relating to a proposal by DAA to make an extravagant exit payment of almost €1 million to its chief executive, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s transport spokesperson, said: “The eye-watering sum of money involved in this proposed exit package for […]

Funding must be assigned to the Finglas LUAS extension so it can be fast tracked, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne, who represents the constituency. Deputy Hearne, who represents Dublin North-West, said: “The granting of planning permission for the extension of LUAS to Finglas is very welcome, but we need to see delivery as […]

Government responsibility for the School Transport Scheme should be transferred out of the Department of Education and put under the remit of the Department of Transport, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on transport, said: “The start of the new term has yet again been marked by […]