News

Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice has welcomed the Minister for Justice’s confirmation that he will bring forward legislation to disregard convictions for consensual same sex activity, before it was decriminalised in 1993. Deputy Rice said: “Last July, on behalf of the Social Democrats, I co-signed a joint opposition Bill to disregard these historic convictions. That […]

Multiple HR and ICT deficiencies identified during a Medical Council inspection of CHI sites underpin the need for the new National Children’s Hospital to open without further delay, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice said: “Today’s report highlights a number of concerning issues at CHI hospitals, where creaking ICT systems were […]

The Minister for Children must appear before the Oireachtas Children’s Committee to outline how and when proposals for a public model of childcare will be achieved, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “Yesterday’s announcement of the government’s plan to provide a public childcare system omitted any and all detail of […]

Figures released today by the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) further highlight the government’s failure to get to grips with the cost-of-living crisis, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “Households around the country continue to struggle under the weight of soaring energy bills […]

It is deeply disturbing that a garda investigation was carried out into the source of reports in the Irish Times concerning the case of a serving member of the force charged with domestic violence against his ex-wife, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on justice, said: “Last […]

Social Democrats food spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore will today introduce the Agri-Food Regulator (Amendment) Bill 2026, which would grant the AgriFood regulator greater powers to investigate price gouging. Speaking ahead of its introduction, Deputy Whitmore said: “Families around the country are enduring an immense struggle just to put food on the table, with prices for staples […]

It’s imperative that Minister for Children Norma Foley presents her department’s rough plan for the rollout of public, not-for-profit childcare to the Oireachtas Childrens Committee for scrutiny and input from the sector’s experts, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “I commend the Minister for this potentially monumental policy shift towards […]

New Oxfam data exposes a level of inequality in Ireland that should shake this government out of its complacency, according to Social Democrats finance spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “Ireland’s billionaires have seen their fortunes surge to more than €46.7 billion, meaning 11 individuals are collectively earning more than 85 per cent of the […]

We are clearly through the looking glass when it comes to the Trump administration The EU must have a strong and united response to threats from US President Donald Trump that risk unravelling the trade deal between the EU and the United States, according to Social Democrats Foreign Affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: […]

Today’s report by the Child Law Project lays bare the dangers faced by vulnerable children as a result of Tusla’s shortcomings, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “Today’s report shows the Child and Family Agency has continued to fail to comply with court orders relating to vulnerable children – recently, […]