News

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 […]

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 […]

Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney has called on the government to come clean on whether it plans to defer the introduction of mandatory alcohol warning labels, which are due to come into effect in May 2026. Deputy Gibney, who is the party’s spokesperson on enterprise, said: “All the indications are that the government intends to […]

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 […]

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 […]

The government must accept its housing plan is a disaster and adopt a radically different approach, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne, who was speaking ahead of this evening’s Raise the Roof protest. Deputy Hearne said: “This government claims that housing is their highest priority, but where is the evidence of that? “House […]

Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins has criticised the government for its failure to ease the financial burden of school uniform costs on families. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s spokesperson on education, said: “This is an issue that has been sitting on the desks of successive Ministers for Education for nearly a decade. “In fact, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]