News

The government is attempting to ram through full ratification of the EU-Canada trade agreement (CETA), despite the Supreme Court finding their previous attempt to do so was unconstitutional, without any pre-legislative scrutiny, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Senator Patricia Stephenson. Two members of the Foreign Affairs Committee – Senator Stephenson and Senator Alice […]

It is less than a week since the government published its summer economic statement, using an assumption of no tariffs The government must publish an updated summer economic statement following this evening’s 15% tariff deal between the EU and the United States, according to Social Democrats finance spokesman Cian O’Callaghan. “I welcome that a deal […]

Today’s WRC ruling gives hope to many workers in the media sector who have long been denied their rights, but they shouldn’t have to battle this out in the courts, according to Social Democrats employment and media spokesperson Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney said: “We cannot avert our eyes to the glaring issues of bogus self-employment […]

Today’s record homeless numbers are another shameful milestone and an indictment of this government, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne made his comments as a new record high for homelessness was confirmed this afternoon: “Today’s figures show there were 15,915 people living in homeless emergency accommodation at the end of July. […]

Bonds facilitated by the Central Bank are marketed to fund Israel’s genocidal campaign, the documents of which fail to warn investors of the legal and criminal risks of complicity in atrocious crimes, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Speaking today, Deputy Gannon said: “The legal action questions whether Ireland’s financial regulatory system can […]

EuroPride presents an opportunity to show solidarity with LGBTQI+ communities across the continent and establish Ireland as a staunch supporter of progress, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “In April, it was announced that the Irish consortium of Limerick Pride, QuareClare and The Outing Festival had been shortlisted to […]

The government’s move to restrict 18-metre trawlers from fishing sprat has come years too late, failing to address the urgent need for a full ban, according to Social Democrats environment spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “This is a textbook example of delay and dysfunction – the government has been grappling with this issue since […]

Throwing billions of euros at the housing crisis without announcing a radical reset in policy will result in the same shortcomings successive governments have been defined by, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “While an increase in funding is required to deliver the level of housing Ireland needs, the primary […]

The government’s 10-year development plan comprises just 49 pages which seek to bamboozle with the budget to disguise the paucity of both commitments and detail The National Development Plan announced today is so vague it doesn’t even rise to the level of wish list, according to Social Democrats public expenditure and reform spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “The […]

The worsening overcrowding crisis in prisons highlights the need for reform of a failing justice system, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who will visit the Dóchas women’s prison this week alongside his colleague Senator Patricia Stephenson, said: “The most recent figures show the Dóchas facility is operating at 138% capacity […]