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Meet Rory

I’m Rory Hearne, the Social Democrats TD for Dublin North-West.

I have been elected to replace Róisín Shortall TD, as your Social Democrats candidate for Dublin North-West.

My wife and I have lived on Dublin’s Northside for over 20 years. I’m a father of four children and I believe in an Ireland where every child can realise their full potential, where all children have a home, and a fair and sustainable future.

I have been a strong campaigner on the housing crisis in recent years, speaking up for the Locked-Out Generation. I’m an Associate Professor at Maynooth University with wide expertise in housing, homelessness, and social policy, and have written extensively on solutions to Ireland’s housing crisis.

I share Róisín’s vision for a society and economy that works for all. As a country, we have never had greater wealth and yet social crises worsen, from housing and homelessness to the cost of living, and inequality.

I am committed to working on behalf of the people of Dublin North-West to create a better, fairer Ireland. We need new solutions and new politics. The Social Democrats have the policies, people, and passion required to have a positive lasting impact on our community and country.

Rory’s Priorities

  • Housing – Solving the housing crisis for Generation Locked-Out and ending homelessness.
  • Public Services – Guaranteeing public services that work for everyone (healthcare, mental health, education, childcare, disability services, transport, community facilities).
  • Climate – Ensuring a sustainable future for all of our children through real climate action and investment in a socially just transition.
  • A Fair Transition – Ensure everyone benefits from the shift to a zero-carbon economy.
  • Peace and Justice – Advocate for peace and an end to the genocide in Gaza.

Latest News

Record child homelessness caused by failing Government policies

Today’s harrowing record-high homelessness figures are an indictment of a Government which has completely lost control of Ireland’s housing emergency, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “Today’s figures show there were a record 17,308 people living in homeless emergency accommodation at the end of February. Shockingly, 5,457 of them are […]

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Hearne to introduce a right to housing bill

Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne will introduce a bill tomorrow (Wednesday, March 25) to give people a constitutional right to housing. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “I am introducing my bill at a time when evictions and homelessness are at record levels. There is no mention of a right to housing […]

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Government failure to protect retirees from eviction emblematic of its approach to housing

It is unconscionable that sick, elderly and disabled people in a retirement village in Sligo have been issued eviction notices, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “In November, the tenants of six of the houses in Sonas Retirement Village in Enniscrone were told by their landlord, Nasso BK Holdings Ltd, […]

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