News

What does it say about our goal to progress women’s sports when we stumble at the simplest  barriers? Cancelling the Munster Camogie final a mere 16 hours before the match shows an appalling lack of respect for players, according to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney. “It’s an insult to these women. The players, the management […]

Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide has expressed concern after the Department of Education Inspectorate found issues with almost all admission policies used by a selection of mainstream schools to determine entry to additional needs classes. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “There are clear issues highlighted in this review – which […]

Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has criticised the decision to close Dublin city centre’s only public toilets, calling it a shortsighted move that shows just how little planning or imagination exists at the heart of government. Deputy Gannon, who represents Dublin Central, said: “Closing the only public toilets in the middle of Dublin, just as […]

The government must immediately outline how and when it intends to use the proceeds of the energy windfall tax to bring down sky-high bills for consumers, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “The Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications has revealed that approximately €189 million […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called on Iarnród Éireann to take potential disruption to major public events into account when scheduling essential rail works. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s transport spokesperson, said: “Irish Rail’s tendency to curtail DART and commuter services on bank holiday weekends to facilitate works on the line urgently needs […]

The overwhelming demand for 30 affordable homes in a south Dublin housing scheme highlights the desperation felt by house-hunters, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “The pent-up demand for housing saw 640 applications received for just 30 affordable homes at Woodbrook in Shankill, a scheme […]

While words of solidarity are welcome, it’s beyond time Ireland takes action to sanction Israel, according to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney, who’s the party’s foreign affairs spokesperson, said: “We’re now over 60 days into Israel’s blockade of Gaza, one of countless blatant war crimes committed by Benjamin Netanyahu’s genocidal state in the […]

The government must clarify who is telling the truth about €1bn in funding – it or Uisce Éireann, according to Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, the party’s Finance spokesperson, said: “Last year, then Finance Minister Jack Chamber and then Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien both claimed that the sale of AIB shares had […]

Camogie players must be given the autonomy to choose whether they wear skorts or shorts during matches, according to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney. “It simply beggars belief that we have to talk about this in 2025. The Camogie Association’s requirement for girls and women to wear skorts is something that should have been relegated […]

The Dáil will debate a Social Democrats’ motion on Thursday (May 8) which will call on the government to increase the number of multi-denominational schools and phase out religious patronage in public education. Deputy Jen Cummins, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “Our motion is about parental choice in education. Parents across the country […]