News

New HSE research showing that only 38 per cent of people in Ireland are aware of the link between alcohol and cancer highlights the need for the government to proceed with alcohol health warning labels, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s spokesperson on health, said: “This latest research […]

If religious orders are unwilling to contribute to redress, the government must go after them with a legal team, not a begging bowl The decision to establish a commission of investigation into historic sexual abuse in schools is welcome but the government must ensure religious orders contribute to redress, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson […]

No child should have to live in a home that’s forced to cut back on meals while supermarkets are raking in massive profits, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Speaking on today’s Barnardos report, Deputy Farrelly said: “The details of today’s damning Barnardos report are shocking but not surprising. Huge increases in grocery […]

The government must commit to a comprehensive recruitment drive to tackle the crisis in primary care services for young people, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on mental health and disability, said: “Figures released to me reveal the abject state of primary care services for young people […]

Farmers and rural communities must not be led off a cliff by a government that refuses to plan for contingencies Government needs a ‘plan B’ for farmers if their attempts to secure an extension of the nitrates derogation fail, according to Social Democrats Agriculture spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “There has been confirmation today that it will […]

A lack of adequate planning for the needs of our education system has led to 1,847 teaching posts remaining unfilled ahead of the new academic year, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “The teacher shortage crisis is symptomatic of a lack of forward planning across government departments – it is […]

The latest consumer watchdog probe into grocery prices must have teeth, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Speaking ahead of the party’s motion on supermarket transparency this Wednesday, Deputy Whitmore said: “The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has re-opened a probe into grocery prices, but the government has failed to give it requisite powers […]

What we have is a back-to-the-future housing minister, repeating the mistakes of the past, who is doomed to fail The Housing Minister’s big idea to increase housing supply is to dust off housing policies implemented by his predecessors that have demonstrably failed, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. “Today the Minister has announced […]

With households continuing to struggle with the cost-of-living crisis, the Social Democrats will bring a motion before the Dáil next week calling for full transparency on profits being generated by supermarkets. Jennifer Whitmore TD, who will introduce the motion on Wednesday, July 9, said: “Families and individuals across the country are finding it extremely difficult […]

It is now all but inevitable that Ireland will face billions in EU fines for not meeting its legally binding emissions reduction targets by 2030, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s climate spokesperson, said: “The latest assessment by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must not be ignored. It […]