News

Uber’s plan to introduce fixed-rate fares to their service presents an existential threat to taxiing, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins and transport spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Cummins said: “Taxi drivers are being pushed out of their livelihoods by the greed of multinational corporations, who are allowed to act with impunity despite the implications […]

A scoping inquiry into Michael Shine, the former surgeon convicted of multiple counts of child sexual abuse, is welcome but must lead to a full statutory inquiry, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice said: “I welcome the news that the cabinet is set to approve a scoping inquiry into Michael Shine […]

Ireland must fight EU attempts to erode environmental and human rights protections after the European Parliament voted to exempt more companies from green reporting rules, according to the Social Democrats. Sinéad Gibney TD, the party’s enterprise spokesperson, said: “A majority of MEPs recently voted to rollback crucial human rights and environmental protections in favour of […]

Social Democrats Dublin City Councillors will oppose the City Budget on Monday as it would have a disproportionate impact on the city’s most vulnerable renters, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “There is a deficit in local authority funding, especially when measured against the long list of responsibilities, projects and […]

Government must pull out all the stops to avert a return to industrial action from school staff over pension dispute, which would be devastating for students, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “There is nothing new or reassuring in Fórsa simply being invited to the table – for years, school […]

The government must undertake significant preparatory work to ensure that accurate data on gender and sexual orientation is collated after the next census, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s spokesperson on health, said: “It is welcome news that Census 2027 will include questions on sexual orientation and gender. […]

More and more families are unable to afford afterschool activities for their children due to skyrocketing costs, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “Low-income families are overburdened by being shut out of unaffordable afterschool pursuits for their children, which for many serve as essential childcare – these families are often […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore will introduce an important animal welfare Bill tomorrow aimed at strengthening weak dog breeding regulations in Ireland. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on agriculture, said: “Ireland is facing a dog welfare crisis, with more than 3,000 stuck in pounds and rescue centres around the country. Abandonments have surged […]

Newly appointed Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee must waste no time in condemning Russia’s continued illegal invasion of Ukraine, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Minister McEntee must reaffirm Ireland’s commitment to and solidarity with the Ukrainian people, who have suffered horrendous conditions and human rights abuses for the […]

A lack of resources in Tusla is continuing to endanger children, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “The new HIQA report is yet another alarm bell that is loudly ringing about inadequate services at Tusla posing risks to children. “It has revealed that it took the agency more than six […]