News

The Social Democrats have accused the Fine Gael government of sleep walking into a climate disaster after an official report today found that Ireland is not on target to meet its EU renewable energy targets for 2020. “The Social Democrats are determined to work to combat climate change at local government level, through ambitious Climate […]

The Social Democrats have this evening said they are strongly opposed to any visit by US President Donald Trump to Ireland, calling it a betrayal of Irish values “President Trump is an aggressive nationalist and protectionist whose policies and approaches to international relations undermine international cooperation and threaten global security, trade and environmentalism.” The Social […]

Up to half a million families could benefit from extensions to unpaid parental leave under a Social Democrats private members bill which is scheduled to pass through the Oireachtas today. “The additional flexibility will help take some pressure off working parents, who can use the extra leave to, say, work a four-day week for part […]

Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy TD today blasted the government for abandoning renters as the latest Daft.ie figures show that the number of homes available to rent has reached its lowest level since 2006. “Instead of getting on with building affordable homes, the Fine Gael government continues to pretend that the market can solve this […]

The Social Democrats today publish our first manifesto for local government, putting sustainable communities and better public services at the heart of all Council activities. “Our single biggest aim is to improve public services that everyone relies upon. That’s how we can drive equality, promote sustainability, reduce costs for businesses and families and provide a […]

The Social Democrats today branded the country’s local authority funding system as outdated and deeply unfair to people living in councils with rapidly growing populations. “Communities can rightly ask ‘what am I getting for my Local Property Tax?’ And the answer is not a whole lot, because the finances of many local authorities haven’t improved […]

Social Democrats Political Director and Local Election candidate for Lucan, Anne-Marie McNally has welcomed the final Dáil stage of the Residential Tenancies Bill which incorporates the key provisions of the Social Democrats’ Bill of the same name. The reality is that the private rental sector is now a significant housing option – either by choice […]

A Social Democrats private members’ bill to increase unpaid leave entitlements for working parents is due to complete its passage through the Oireachtas in the coming weeks. “For parents with pre-school children in particular, unpaid parental leave might be a more economical alternative to paying for formal childcare.” A Social Democrats private members’ bill to […]

Social Democrats Co-Leader Catherine Murphy has said the Government is cynically using the announcement regarding the National Broadband Plan to try and influence rural voters ahead of the local and European elections. “It is clear that this blinkered approach to a contract of such magnitude is a direct result of election season where Fine Gael […]

Climate change is the single biggest threat to our environment, our living standards and our existence. “Climate change is the single biggest threat to our environment, our living standards and our existence. The Social Democrats recognise this threat as a fundamental issue facing our country and our planet.” The Social Democrats today [3rd May] publish […]