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The millions allocated to greyhound racing in this week’s budget could be put to far better use elsewhere, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on agriculture, said: “Calls for greyhound racing to be defunded and eventually banned have yet again fallen on deaf ears. It is bitterly […]

Responding to comments made by Fine Gael Minister Jennifer Carrol MacNeill earlier, Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said: “Minister Carroll MacNeill’s statement should be seen for the desperate distraction attempt that it is. “It is genuinely disappointing to see a senior government minister reduced to cheap negative campaigning. “From my own experience of campaigning with […]

Farmers have been left in limbo when it comes to the future of the EU Nitrates Directive, according to Social Democrats environment spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “During the Agriculture budget conference, Minister Heydon said that the extension of the nitrates directive is his main priority, reiterating his commitment to retaining the derogation as […]

The priorities for our health service in Budget 2026 are completely askew, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is Chair of the Oireacthas Health Committee, said: “In the Health Minister’s quest for productivity and value for money, she has lost sight of reform. “She seems to forget that without reform […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has accused Minister Darragh O’Brien of playing a reckless game of chicken with the EU by downplaying the risk of billions in fines if Ireland fails to hit its climate action targets. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s climate spokesperson, said: “Earlier this year, the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (IFAC) […]

The extension of the Basic Income for the Arts scheme is welcome, but Budget 2026 lacks detail, timelines, and confirmation of whether artists with disabilities will be accounted for, according to Social Democrats arts and culture spokesperson Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney said: “I welcome that the Basic Income for the Arts scheme will be extended […]

People with disabilities and their families have been failed by Budget 2026, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “It has long been recognised that having a disability comes with significant additional financial pressures, including the costs of therapies, equipment and transport. Despite repeated calls […]

The Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) has laid bare the stark reality facing our most vulnerable citizens: the government’s decisions in the budget are set to increase poverty rates, according to Social Democrats finance spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “The Budget 2026 Flash Impact Analysis report, published this morning by the PBO, found that income […]

The government must urgently intervene to ensure the safety of Irish citizens illegally detained by Israeli forces in international waters, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Reports today indicate that up to five Irish people, including a member of the Oireachtas, are being held by the IDF after a […]

Supplementary legislation must ensure no family is left behind when it comes to assisted human reproduction, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who today will launch a report on the matter as Chair of the Oireachtas Health Committee, said: “The journey towards robust legislation to regulate and support donor assisted human […]