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The Developer Profit Transparency Bill 2025, if passed, would unpack the reasons why housing delivery is stunted in Ireland, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “The aim of the bill is to shed light on the profit levels of developers who benefit from government housing schemes and subsidies – it’s […]

Budget 2026 must strike a balance between protecting our economic security, dealing with the long-term challenges we face as a society, and providing targeted support to hard-pressed households, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Speaking at today’s launch of ‘Better Services, Stronger Communities – Alternative Budget 2026’, Deputy Cairns said: “When we launched our […]

The Minister for Health must progress the option of building a Model 3 hospital in the Mid-West following the completion of a HIQA review of urgent and emergency healthcare services in the region, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson, said: “I welcome that this review has […]

The inquiry into scoliosis and spina bifida care in Children’s Health Ireland must be more than a box ticking exercise which results in a report devoid of solutions, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice said: “I welcome the government’s commitment to hold this public inquiry into CHI, however, it must be […]

The Dáil will debate a Social Democrats’ motion on Wednesday (October 1) calling for the abolition of the means test for Carer’s Allowance in next week’s Budget. Liam Quaide TD, who is the party’ spokesperson on social protection, said: “Pre-budget kite-flying by the government over the weekend suggests there will be modest increases in income […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore is to seek answers about the major fish kill in Cork’s Blackwater River when the incident comes under the scrutiny of tomorrow’s Oireachtas Climate Committee. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s environment spokesperson, said: “Today I met with anglers near Mallow, who have many unanswered questions about this devastating incident, […]

We’re well into the 11th hour when it comes to meeting our EU environment targets, yet the government remains asleep at the wheel, according to Social Democrats environment spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “It is now all but inevitable that Ireland will face billions in EU fines for not meeting its legally binding environmental […]

Today’s record homeless numbers are another shameful milestone and an indictment of this government, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne made his comments as a new record high for homelessness was confirmed this afternoon: “Today’s figures show there were 16,353 people living in homeless emergency accommodation at the end of August. […]

Our river life is at risk of further mass casualties if the agencies responsible for its health do not reform their response procedures, according to Social Democrats environment spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “Today’s multi-agency report asserts that a fish kill in the River Blackwater, County Cork in August which saw the deaths of […]

The government must not allow energy companies to blame network costs for skyrocketing bills this winter, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “What we’re seeing now is energy companies putting up their prices by significant amounts, citing infrastructure and network security costs for these scandalous […]