News

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has expressed disappointment at the re-election of Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission. “The outcome of today’s vote represents a missed opportunity by MEPs to restore some credibility to the EU, which has been badly damaged on the world stage by its callous indifference to the […]

The HSE must make a full statement following the resignation this week of two prominent campaigners from a national steering group tasked with improving children’s disability services, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “It is deeply concerning to learn that two of the three […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has described a violent attack on asylum seekers in Dublin city centre last night as a despicable new low. “It is heartbreaking to think that 15 vulnerable people seeking International Protection in this country could be subjected to such brutality on the streets of our capital city. “Just hours after […]

New figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that rising house prices are locking a generation out of homeownership, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “House prices increased by 8.2 per cent in the 12 months to May 2024. The median price of a […]

The Government must offer an official State apology in the Dáil to all thalidomide survivors in Ireland, including those it has failed to acknowledge, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “After decades of campaigning for justice, recognition and adequate compensation, thalidomide survivors have been […]

Today’s release of delivery statistics for social and affordable homes show that this Government is incapable of meeting its targets – targets that were not nearly ambitious enough in the first place, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Just 158 social homes were built in […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has strongly condemned today’s violence in Coolock. “There is no place in society for the type of despicable criminal behaviour we witnessed today on Dublin’s northside. “Again, we have seen hysteria, fear and hatred whipped up over proposed accommodation for asylum seekers, leading to attacks on gardai and workers, as […]

Newly elected Social Democrats councillor Daniel Ennis will feature in a documentary about the recent local elections on RTÉ One tonight. Cllr Ennis, who won a council seat in Dublin’s North Inner City last month, said he was delighted to be one of several candidates to participate in ‘The Locals’ – the latest work from […]

Attempts to delay the Dublin City Transport Plan by fearmongering must be rejected, according to Social Democrats councillor Eoin Hayes. Cllr Hayes, who represents Kimmage-Rathmines, said: “The economic assessment prepared for the Dublin City Centre Traders’ Alliance (DCCTA) does not take into account the significant costs to the capital caused by traffic congestion and underestimates […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has given a guarded welcome to the Government’s commitment to review the system in place for granting taxi licences to drivers. “In the Dáil today, my party proposed a range of measures to tackle the epidemic of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in this country. “We called on the Government […]