News

Ireland must rally behind Spain after the US threatened to cease all trade with the country, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Spain’s barring of the US military from using its bases to stage its war against Iran is the right action to take to comply with international law. […]

The rising age profile of first-time buyers will have massive societal implications for Ireland, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “While we’ve known for some time that the age of first-time buyers has been steadily rising, Cairn Homes – the country’s largest homebuilders – has […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has criticised the Taoiseach’s refusal to provide a timeline for when the government will act on the recommendations of a 2023 review into the operation of Ireland’s abortion laws. Deputy Cairns made her comments after raising the harrowing case of Denise Whitmore during Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil today. She […]

While it is welcome that a fresh planning application is to be submitted for a new critical care wing at the Rotunda Hospital, this and previous governments cannot evade blame for delays to the project, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson, said: “After years of obfuscation, […]

The government and Minister for Education is allowing teacher shortages to spiral out of control due to inaction, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “The teacher recruitment and retention crisis has brought schools around the country to their knees – the government cannot sit on the sidelines while teachers and […]

The Taoiseach’s belated acceptance that there is price gouging occurring in the energy sector must be followed by immediate government action to prevent consumers from further exploitation, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “When questioned on this issue by our party leader Holly Cairns in […]

Shannon Airport must not be used to launch attacks on Iran as part of the United States and Israel’s illegal war, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “The Irish government must give a categoric commitment that Shannon Airport will not be used to launch attacks on Iran as part […]

Figures released today by housing charity Threshold provide further proof that the government was wrong to proceed with the introduction of its disastrous new rent regulations this week, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Threshold’s final quarter figures for 2025 show a 21 per cent […]

The government must take urgent action to prevent price gouging by energy companies as the situation in the Middle East continues to worsen, according to Social Democrats energy spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore TD. Deputy Whitmore said: “There are reports today that the cost of home heating oil is already soaring. This is outrageous. Any company selling […]

The Social Democrats have officially launched Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich’s campaign for the forthcoming Galway West by-election. The launch, which took place in the Harbour Hotel in Galway on Saturday, was attended by Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan TD, Sinéad Gibney TD, and Senator Patricia Stephenson, who is the party’s director of elections for Galway […]