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The Social Democrats are hosting a Think-In for members in Cork city this weekend as part of the party’s preparation for the next General Election. The event brings together Social Democrats members from around the country to discuss the policies and politics underpinning its social democratic vision and how we can best bring that unique […]

Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy has said she intends to bring forward legislation which would give the Comptroller and Auditor General scrutiny and audit powers over Irish Water. Deputy Murphy had tabled an amendment to the Water Services Bill which is going through the Dáil this week but last night both Fine Gael and Fianna […]

The statement by Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy T.D. in the Dáil last night that he favours a system of self-certification by landlords with respect to overcrowding, fire safety and housing standards demonstrates that he has learned little from the failures of recent years, Social Democrats spokesperson on housing quality and standards councillor Cian O’Callaghan […]

In the wake of the Paradise Papers revelations about global tax avoidance, Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD criticised the government’s role in facilitating massive tax breaks for Apple. Speaking during Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil today, Deputy Shortall said: “The theme running though the Paradise Papers is the relentless quest of the wealthy and […]

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 […]

The revelations in the leaked ‘Paradise Papers’ that AIB’s offshore arm continued to facilitate tax avoidance after it was bailed out by the public highlight the extent of the moral bankruptcy at the heart of the Irish banking system, Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy TD has said. Deputy Murphy said: “It is galling in the […]

Social Democrats spokesperson on housing quality and building standards Councillor Cian O’Callaghan said: “The failure of Dublin City Council and other local Councils to enforce minimum standards in the private rental sector as exposed in last night’s RTÉ Prime Time should come as no surprise. Local authorities have a very poor track record when it […]

In light of another year of uncontrolled and illegal bonfires across the city and country this Halloween Aengus Ó Maoláin, Social Democrats representative for Castleknock and Blanchardstown has called for new thinking on bonfire regulations around halloween time. Ó Maoláin said: “This year saw yet again an increase in the number of call outs by […]

Social Democrats Political Director Anne-Marie McNally has said she is outraged but not surprised at reports today that maternal health services in Ireland are so sorely lacking in resources that many pregnant people are being denied basic scans in pregnancy that can ensure safe maternal care, healthy pregnancies where possible and allow for parents to […]

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 […]