News

The Minister for Enterprise must recognise the threat artificial intelligence presents to employment and reinforce workers rights in the tech sector, according to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney, who sits on the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Artificial Intelligence. Deputy Gibney said: “400 workers at Covalen, a business which provides services to Meta, have been put […]

Any proposal to alter Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ) rules to allow for more frequent rent increases for purpose-built student accommodation must be strongly resisted, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s spokesperson on Further and Higher Education, said: “As part of changes to RPZ rules, the Department of Housing […]

The Minister for Children’s proposed reform of the Assessment of Needs process is deeply worrying, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “The decision to overhaul the AON process for children is deeply worrying, not least because the reform was introduced with no prior consultation with teachers’ unions, school staff, or the […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has described the positive cross-party response to her Dog Welfare (Amendment) Bill 2025 as a significant step in the right direction for animal rights in Ireland. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s agriculture spokesperson, said: “My Bill, which was debated at second stage in the Dáil today, is aimed at […]

The Irish government must strongly object to a proposal by President Trump’s administration that would oblige all tourists to disclose their social media history before entering the US, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “It is truly shocking to learn that US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is planning […]

Animal welfare charities and rescue centres are being left to pick up the pieces in the absence of proper dog breeding regulations, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on agriculture, said: “Ireland holds the dubious distinction of being the puppy farm capital of Europe, with 30,000 dogs […]

The Health (Amendment) (Home Support Providers) Bill 2025, which was published today, falls short of addressing the issues facing the home care sector, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice said: “I welcome today’s announcement on home care regulation after years of false starts. Regulation of home care has been a Programme for […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has paid tribute to young disability campaigner Cara Darmody ahead of a cross-party Opposition motion on Assessments of Needs (AONs), which will be debated in the Dáil this evening. Deputy Cairns said: “Through her tireless advocacy on behalf of her two younger brothers, Cara has helped keep the spotlight on […]

The three-year extension of the nitrates derogation must be used to draw up plans for its total phase out after it expires, according to Social Democrats agriculture and environment spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “I am hugely concerned by the decision to extend the nitrates derogation – because, if past performance is anything to […]

A new report into teacher wellbeing makes clear that conditions in schools have reached a critical tipping point, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “The 2025 DCU Create Teacher Occupational Wellbeing study shows that teachers are experiencing unprecedented pressure, with many reporting that the demands of their roles are pushing […]