News

Instead of adopting a head-in-the-sand approach, and dodging questions in the Dáil, the Taoiseach needs to get a grip on this Neither the Taoiseach nor the Health Minister appear to be aware of major breaches of the public-only consultant contract in hospitals across the country, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice […]

The Minister for Culture must intervene in the forced closure of the Silk Road Cafe at Chester Beatty Library as the business’ plight is escalated to the High Court by its owner, according to Social Democrats TD Eoin Hayes. Deputy Hayes said: “I have been clear from the outset that the extended closure of the […]

Social Democrats councillor Caroline Winstanley is the new Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council. Cllr Winstanley, who represents Bray West, was elected to the position at today’s AGM of Wicklow County Council. Cllr Winstanley, who lives in Bray with her husband and two children, has been a councillor since winning a seat in the 2024 Local […]

Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins will tomorrow introduce the School Meals Nutritional Standards Bill 2026. Deputy Cummins said: “This Bill is about ensuring that every child who receives a school meal through a State-funded scheme can be confident that the food provided meets clear, evidence-based nutritional standards. “The expansion of the Hot School Meals […]

Fine Gael has somehow managed to replace the failing derelict sites levy with a new tax proposal which covers even fewer derelict sites, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne TD. Deputy Hearne said: “The Tánaiste has chosen to scapegoat local authorities for his Government’s failures. Fine Gael has been in Government for 15 […]

Not only does this raise questions for Revenue about the taxation of these gifts, it also raises further serious questions for the Master of the Rotunda Representatives of the Rotunda hospital should return to the Oireachtas Health Committee to answer questions about the gifting of fees to consultants to deliver babies, according to Social Democrats […]

The coming into force of the migration pact is a retrograde step for migrants rights in Ireland and across Europe, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon said: “I have major concerns about this pact, not least the real risk that we will see children detained in Ireland while their applications are […]

News that two consultants are seeking to carry out private practice in newly established public surgical hubs further emphasises the need to remove all private healthcare from public facilities, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice said: “New surgical hubs are being established across the country to reduce waiting lists, enabling the […]

It is beyond belief that no addiction nurses are employed in Irish prisons, despite the majority of inmates suffering from addiction, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon said: “We know that addiction is one of the primary drivers of the low level offending that makes up a massive proportion of our […]

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 […]