News

The Government is refusing to take emergency measures to address the homelessness crisis, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “Today’s figures show there were 17,447 people living in homeless emergency accommodation at the end of May. Shockingly, 5,583 of them are children. “There’s been a 20% increase in the number […]

The Government must move beyond words of support this Pride by taking action to ban conversion practices, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is a longtime advocate and campaigner for LGBTQIA+ rights, said: “Conversion ‘therapy’ describes a range a practices which aim to change or supress an individual’s sexual orientation […]

A proactive approach to public transport provision must be taken to tackle the adverse health and economic effects of congestion on our motorways, according to Social Democrats transport spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “The findings of the Centre for Transport Research at Trinity College Dublin’s M50 user survey are grim but not surprising. We […]

The Government must consider all alternative ways of delivering energy security before locking the State into costly Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) infrastructure, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, made her comments as the Dáil debated the Development (Strategic Gas Reserve) Bill 2026 at second stage today. She said: […]

Today’s warning from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) that grocery prices are set to rise further in the second half of this year highlights the need to give the Agri-Food Regulator additional powers, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on agriculture, said: “With households already […]

An independent UN report which confirmed the IDF is deliberately targeting and murdering children in Gaza reveals the depths of Israel’s depravity, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “An independent UN inquiry has found that Israel continues to commit genocide by deliberately targeting and murdering Palestinian children in Gaza. […]

People in Ireland are dying from drugs at a rate that is three times higher than the EU average The tepid response to the report from the Oireachtas Committee on Drugs Use from government is hugely disappointing, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is chair of the Committee, said: “In […]

The process which artists must undertake to create and display art in our public spaces must be reformed and become transparent, according to Social Democrats arts spokesperson Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney said: “The SEEN collaborative artwork project, led by Joe Caslin, recently highlighted that there is no framework for supporting, assessing, and approving public art […]

At least 24 per cent of children with disabilities in State accommodation are living more than 50km from their home – a situation that amounts to a form of enforced separation from family and community life, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “The figures […]

Personal possession of drugs for one’s own use should cease to be treated as a criminal matter and should instead be met with a health-led approach, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is Chair of the Oireachtas Drugs Committee, said: “The Committee recommends the repeal of section 3 of the […]