News

The Government must urgently change tack after a damning assessment by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) of its untargeted response to soaring energy costs, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on energy, said: “Today’s report from the ESRI confirms what many of us have been […]

Senator Patricia Stephenson has called for strong community leadership in the wake of the horrific knife attack in Belfast this week and the racially motivated violence that followed it. She said: “As a Belfast native, I was deeply shocked by the heinous attack on Stephen Ogilvie this week and my thoughts are with him and […]

New figures showing more than half a million energy accounts in arrears must shock the Government out of its complacency, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) has revealed there were 318,735 homes – one in seven – in […]

There must be clarity and protection provided to the staff and students of Carlow College who are facing uncertainty, according to the Social Democrats’ Patricia Stephenson and Jen Cummins. Carlow Kilkenny-based Senator Patricia Stephenson said: “The closure of Carlow College marks the end of an era for Carlow. The institution has shaped generations of students, […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has demanded a full explanation from Uisce Éireann after a 60-day ‘Do Not Swim’ notice came into effect at two popular beaches in north county Dublin due to a sewage pump failure. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s environment spokesperson, said: “Fingal County Council has announced that Rush North and […]

The latest child poverty figures will be a stain on this Government’s term in office unless meaningful measures are introduced to tackle income inequality, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “The 2026 Child Poverty Monitor, published by the Children’s Rights Alliance, is a shameful […]

The Taoiseach and Minister for Justice must meet with the survivors of convicted paedophile Bill Kenneally and deliver a State apology to those who fought long and hard for justice, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon said: “At the outset, I want to state that it is outrageous that victims were […]

The Government’s chaotic application process for the School Summer Programme – formerly known as July Provision – has caused needless stress and anxiety for parents of children with additional needs, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “The Department of Education’s handling of the Summer Programme […]

Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson’s Bill to give greater powers to prevent munitions being flown through Shannon Airport and Irish airspace, along with a suite of other measures which will seek to prevent ICE deportation flights stopping in Ireland, will be debated in the Seanad tomorrow. Senator Stephenson said: “This Bill seeks to […]

The Government’s determination to remove the triple lock as part of the Defence Amendment Bill does not have public support and will continue to be strongly resisted by the Opposition, according to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney, who is the party’s spokesperson on defence, said: “The Minister for Defence has today sought Cabinet […]