Donate
Join Now

Time is right to progress Bill which would reduce voting age to 16

The results of today’s Global Youth Participation Index show conditions are ripe for the introduction of a reduced voting age, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “Ireland has ranked 18th out of over 140 countries worldwide in terms of youth participation in political, economic and civic life – those aged […]

Read more

CHI’s responses at Health Committee completely inadequate

Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice has described today’s responses from CHI at the Oireachtas Health Committee as deeply disappointing and completely inadequate. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson and chair of the Health Committee, said: “From what we heard this morning, it would seem that some in CHI still do not appreciate the […]

Read more

Adequate housing delivery no more than a pipe dream under this government

A combination of inaction and a nonsensical approach to housing provision has led to the Central Bank’s downgrading of an already horrible delivery estimate, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “This morning, the Minister for Housing said that, in the wake of recent government policies, ‘rents may go up… I […]

Read more

Government must expand eligibility for School Transport Scheme

The government must urgently expand eligibility for the School Transport Scheme to help Ireland achieve its climate action targets, reduce congestion on our roads, and tackle education disadvantage, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s spokesperson on education, said: “With just 18 per cent of primary and post-primary pupils […]

Read more

Two-tier child benefit system must be considered by Children’s Committee ahead of Budget 2026

While a targeted second child welfare payment would be effective in reducing child poverty, it’s of paramount importance that its implementation is subject to in-depth planning, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “I was struck to hear yesterday that the Taoiseach is not ruling out a two-tier child benefit system […]

Read more

EU’s anti-fraud watchdog must investigate government’s failure to inspect Shannon flights

Social Democrats senator Patricia Stephenson has called on the EU’s anti-fraud watchdog to launch an investigation into the Irish government’s failure to inspect flights into Shannon that may be facilitating Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza. Senator Stephenson, who is the party’s spokesperson on foreign affairs, said: “There is credible evidence that military contractors and private […]

Read more

CHI’s summary of internal review tells us little we didn’t already know

Today’s publication of a summary of findings and recommendations into a 2022 examination of a clinical department in Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) does not provide a level of detail sufficient to serve the public interest, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s spokesperson on health, said: “CHI’s internal review […]

Read more