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The absence of spending safeguards identified in an audit into the Leinster House bike shed controversy must never be repeated, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who sits on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), said: “It is shocking, but not surprising, that the audit published today by Deloitte confirms there was no […]

It is absolutely appalling that Irish Peacekeepers are being threatened and intimidated by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), according to Social Democrats Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “The latest incident of the Israeli Defence Forces firing on UN peacekeeping positions, and shining laser lights on Irish troops, is outrageous. “Irish peacekeepers have […]

Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan has today announced a change in spokespeople roles in the parliamentary party to reflect Oireachtas committee positions. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “Since the election, when the Social Democrats nearly doubled our number of TDs, our team has gotten straight to work – holding the government to account on a range […]

The long-awaited Sláintecare plan, published today, is short on ambition, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice said: “Publication of this plan is well overdue, as we have been without one since the end of 2023. “A draft of the latest plan, titled ‘Sláintecare 2025+’, was submitted to the Cabinet Committee on […]

The government must provide clarity on its plan to reduce childcare costs to €200 a month, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, the party’s spokesperson for children, said: “The government has promised to reduce childcare costs to €200 a month – but it is nowhere near meeting this commitment. “Many families are […]

The government should not take advice from tax-exile billionaires when considering the rights of workers, according to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney, who’s the party’s employment spokesperson, said: “Billionaire Denis O’Brien, who was found by a tribunal to have given corrupt payments to Michael Lowry, has a problem with rights for ordinary workers. […]

Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne has welcomed a U-turn by Housing Minister James Browne following his initial refusal to meet Dublin City Council to discuss the tenant-in-situ scheme – but has now called on him to extend this engagement to all local authorities. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “It is regrettable […]

Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne has criticised Housing Minister James Browne’s failure to meet with Dublin City Council to discuss the tenant-in-situ scheme. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Dublin’s Lord Mayor has written to the Minister three times to request a meeting to discuss the tenant-in-situ scheme. The only engagement from […]

The government must urgently publish its audit into those children wronged by unnecessary hip surgeries, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who’s the party’s health spokesperson, said: “I first raised the issue of children enduring unnecessary hip surgeries with Taoiseach Micheál Martin back in March.  “Nearly two months later we are still […]

The government must clarify if planned restrictions on short-term lets will apply to towns located in Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) where populations are under the 10,000 threshold provided for in the new regulations, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s spokesperson on housing, said: “Under the Short-Term Letting and […]