News

The Social Democrats have backed calls for the Central Bank to bring in strict controls on licensed money lenders to protect vulnerable consumers from being hit with exorbitant interest rates and charges. “It is downright wrong and unfair that the Central Bank is still allowing interest rates of up to 287% to be legally charged […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has called on the Minister for Justice to clarify if he has agreed an open-ended arrangement to cover the costs and damages of former Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan in a civil action by Garda whistle-blower Maurice McCabe. “It is extremely galling for people to see the state providing and […]

The Social Democrats spokesperson on Consumer Affairs and Political Director Anne-Marie McNally has said that the latest Daft.ie report once again proves that those stuck in long-term renting require a different approach in relation to Central Bank mortgage rules as they apply to long-term renters. “The effect of trapping long-term renters in high rents is […]

Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy TD has said an emergency rent freeze is the only way to address astronomical rents, as the latest figures from Daft.ie show a national increase in rents of more than 11 per cent. “There is no just way that ordinary workers, people with families and young people, can continue to […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD today attacked the government’s ‘sticking plaster’ approach to the crisis in our health service. “This latest spike in the numbers of people waiting for hospital beds is a direct consequence of the government’s sticking plaster approach to the crisis in our health service. Constant firefighting is not the solution […]

Catherine Murphy TD outlines our proposals to combat ‘off the record’ government with a new legal duty on senior officials to make and keep written records of meetings with ministers. A legal duty to document meetings, with sanctions for failing to do so, would put an end to ‘off the record’ government. Opinion: Catherine Murphy […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD, has raised fresh questions and concerns about the 42 schools constructed by Western Building Systems which are currently being assessed for structural defects. We need answers to these questions for anxious parents, teachers and other school staff who have spent the mid-term break concerned about whether they will have […]

The Social Democrats today warmly welcomed the re-election of Michael D. Higgins as a vote for an inclusive and compassionate President who speaks for all the people of Ireland. “The incredibly strong mandate for Michael D. Higgins shows that people want to see our country led by a decent, inclusive and compassionate President who speaks […]

Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy has received a further parliamentary reply regarding former Minister Michael Noonan’s meeting with representatives of Enet including PR adviser to Enet, Eoin O’Neachtain, in December 2016. “It is not in the public interest for the department to withhold this very basic request for information or tangle it in bureaucratic red […]