News

Progressing the Occupied Territories Bill without the inclusion of a ban on services shows the Government is crumbling under pressure from the United States, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “After kicking the Occupied Territories Bill to touch for more than a year, Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee has […]

Today’s revelation that Irish Rail has written down the value of a new IT system by €50 million is further proof that the State is unable to effectively manage projects of this nature, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who sits on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), said: “The Irish Times reported […]

20% of the 1,778 complaints to the Ombudsman for Children’s Office last year concerned Tusla, further proving the need for an independent review into its standards, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “One in five complaints to the Ombudsman for Children’s Office concerned Tusla in 2025. This is indicative of […]

A Government Bill to regulate puppy farms will be worthless unless it includes a cap on the number of breeding females that can be kept on site at any one time, as well as a ban on surgical artificial insemination, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s agriculture spokesperson, […]

The Government must do more than offer hollow words of condemnation while Irish activists are abused in Israeli captivity, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Footage which depicts Irish woman, and humanitarian flotilla member, Catriona Graham being abused in Israeli detention is horrifying and outrageous. “The video shows Ms […]

The Minister for Enterprise must meet with the Oireachtas AI Committee to discuss what regulations are needed to prevent mass unemployment as a result of AI, according to Social Democrats enterprise spokesperson Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney, who sits on the Oireachtas AI Committee, said: “Meta has informed the Government that it plans to lay off […]

Figures published by Daft today show that rents in Galway are now completely out of reach for most people, according to Social Democrats by-election candidate Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich. Míde said: “The disastrous impact of the Government’s new rent rules is revealed today as rents surge at the highest rate in 25 years. The average rent […]

Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins and Cllr Lesley Byrne have today reiterated their support for residents seeking the reinstatement of Phase One of the Oliver Bond regeneration project after a meeting with the Minister for Housing and residents. Deputy Cummins said: “After the meeting with Minister Browne, we welcome the decision to keep Bridgefoot […]

The disastrous impact of the government’s new rent rules is revealed today as rents surge at the highest rate in 25 years, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said. “This report makes for grim reading – especially for those who are desperately trying to find a home to rent. “The impact […]

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 […]