News

The Taoiseach must meet with the owner of the Silk Road Café to discuss how this situation arose and to ensure something like this never happens again, according to Social Democrats TD Eoin Hayes. Deputy Hayes said: “I raised the Silk Road Cafe, which remains closed after being forced to abruptly shut, with the Taoiseach […]

The introduction of a flat-fee system for legal aid representation will effectively dismantle a system which, while not perfect in many respects, functions well when it comes to safeguarding the right to effective legal representation and the right to a fair trial, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon said: “The system […]

Accelerated decarbonisation of our bus and rail fleet, along with improvements to existing public transport services, will be required to reduce Ireland’s reliance on fossil fuels and help us meet our climate action targets, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate, said: “A report from the […]

A new report published today by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides a worrying snapshot of Ireland’s water quality that requires immediate Government attention, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s environment spokesperson, said: “The EPA’s report shows there was little change in water quality indicators in 2025. Overall […]

The Minister for Children must commission an independent review of Tusla after it was found that suspected cases of child abuse were not referred to Gardaí for over three months, and in some cases not referred at all, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “How many damning reports is it […]

Instead of adopting a head-in-the-sand approach, and dodging questions in the Dáil, the Taoiseach needs to get a grip on this Neither the Taoiseach nor the Health Minister appear to be aware of major breaches of the public-only consultant contract in hospitals across the country, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice […]

The Minister for Culture must intervene in the forced closure of the Silk Road Cafe at Chester Beatty Library as the business’ plight is escalated to the High Court by its owner, according to Social Democrats TD Eoin Hayes. Deputy Hayes said: “I have been clear from the outset that the extended closure of the […]

Social Democrats councillor Caroline Winstanley is the new Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council. Cllr Winstanley, who represents Bray West, was elected to the position at today’s AGM of Wicklow County Council. Cllr Winstanley, who lives in Bray with her husband and two children, has been a councillor since winning a seat in the 2024 Local […]

Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins will tomorrow introduce the School Meals Nutritional Standards Bill 2026. Deputy Cummins said: “This Bill is about ensuring that every child who receives a school meal through a State-funded scheme can be confident that the food provided meets clear, evidence-based nutritional standards. “The expansion of the Hot School Meals […]

Fine Gael has somehow managed to replace the failing derelict sites levy with a new tax proposal which covers even fewer derelict sites, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne TD. Deputy Hearne said: “The Tánaiste has chosen to scapegoat local authorities for his Government’s failures. Fine Gael has been in Government for 15 […]