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Calls by the Taoiseach for more incentives for private investment in the rental sector show this Government is prepared to double down on years of failed housing policy, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Fianna Fáil claims it is the party of home ownership and […]

Today’s admission by Jim O’Callaghan that he does not spend a huge amount of time looking at online content was an extraordinary comment for a Minister for Justice to make, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is a TD for Dublin Central and the party’s justice spokesperson, said: “Minister O’Callaghan was […]

It is utterly shameful that people feel the need to sleep in their cars overnight to have any chance of buying a new home, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who represents Kildare North, said: “More than a dozen first-time buyers slept in their cars last night in the hope of securing […]

As a matter of urgency, we now need the former housing minister, the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste to appear in the Dáil to answer questions about this fiasco There is a desperate blame game in government to evade responsibility for misleading the public about the number of homes that would be delivered last year, according […]

Today’s introduction of reduced speed limits on rural roads, while welcome, will be less effective without increased Garda visibility and enforcement, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s transport spokesperson, said: “Given the unacceptable rate of tragedies on our roads, I am fully supportive of the strategy to reduce […]

A review of the hot school meals scheme must be carried out to assess the nutritional standard of food being served to children, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “While the planned expansion of this initiative is welcome, concerns have been expressed by some teachers […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called on the Government to provide urgent financial supports to the horticulture sector in the wake of Storm Éowyn. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s agriculture spokesperson, said: “Given the importance of our horticulture sector, it is unacceptable that there has been no real discussion about how it has […]

The cost of repairs to the electricity network in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn should not be passed on to customers under any circumstances, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on energy, said: “For the thousands of customers still waiting to have their power restored – almost […]

Commenting tonight on the Ceann Comhairle’s ruling that the Regional Group cannot form a Dáil technical group for the purposes of speaking rights, Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan said: “This is a significant ruling and confirms what Opposition parties have been saying from the outset. “Government backbenchers cannot masquerade as members of the Opposition […]

Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan has described the election of Patricia Stephenson to Seanad Éireann as a landmark day for the party. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “Today marks another milestone for the Social Democrats following the increased mandate we received in the most recent local and general elections, where we almost doubled our number of […]