‘Public transport system creaking under pressure’ – Catherine Murphy

Catherine Murphy, Co-Leader of the Social Democrats has said that recent parliamentary replies to her and many contacts from the public has confirmed that there are significant capacity issues across our entire public transport system. Deputy Murphy said that while the replies received by her detail investment in the heavy rail network, it is clear […]

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Government must breach EU fiscal rules to fund building of more homes

The projected €3 billion Government spend in rent subsidies over the next five years represents an unsustainable approach to solving the housing crisis, Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy TD said today. Deputy Murphy said: “Official projections show that the Government will spend some €535 million on rent support programmes this year for lower-income families in […]

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Government’s long-overdue white-collar crime measures welcome but continue fragmented approach to tackling corruption

The Social Democrats have said white-collar crime reforms announced today by the government are welcome and long-overdue but lack critical detail and continue the fragmented approach to tackling corruption in all its forms. The party’s joint leader Catherine Murphy TD said: “Several of the new measures are welcome and long-overdue, especially the proposed overhaul of […]

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Latest Anglo trial collapse further damages public confidence in State’s ability to prosecute white collar crime

The collapse of yet another trial involving a former Anglo Irish Bank executive further damages public confidence in the State’s ability and resolve  to prosecute white collar crime, the Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy TD has said. Deputy Murphy said: “It’s not even six months since the trial of Anglo’s former Chief Executive Seán Fitzpatrick […]

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Special help needed for young families ‘stuck’ in unsuitable apartments

Special measures are needed to help young couples with children who bought apartments during the boom and now find themselves ‘stuck’ in unsuitable accommodation and unable to purchase family-sized homes, Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy TD said today. Deputy Murphy said: “People, including many young couples, who bought small apartments during the boom, are now […]

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Public transport users deserve a better deal

Commenting on the public transport fare changes published today by the National Transport Authority, Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy TD said: “While the fare decreases announced today are certainly welcome, I can see no justification for the increases in train fares and some commuter bus fares, especially as some of these are above the rate […]

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Call in Gardaí, levy bank profits and stop banker’s bonuses until mortgage interest overcharging sorted say Social Democrats

Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy TD today urged the Government and Central Bank to call in the Gardaí to investigate the conduct of bankers in the overcharging of tracker mortgages. Speaking today, Deputy Murphy said: “This seems to me nothing short of thievery. In any other such circumstances you would expect the Gardaí to be […]

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Give C&AG scrutiny of Irish Water accounts say Social Democrats

Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy has today urged Government to accept an amendment tabled by her to the Water Bill 2017. The amendment seeks to make Irish Water answerable to the Comptroller and Auditor General regarding its finances. Deputy Murphy has received a reply to a parliamentary question which indicates that a subvention of €753 […]

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Homelessness funding underscores regional divide

Catherine Murphy TD, Social Democrats Co-Leader, has drawn attention to a PQ reply which details funding provided to homeless services on a regional basis which, she says, gives further meaning to some of the harrowing stories emanating from areas outside the Dublin region such as the ones highlighted on Morning Ireland yesterday. The reply received […]

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