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Religious orders must be compelled to account for the litany of horrific sexual abuse carried out for decades in church-run schools, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “The scale of the abuse outlined in senior counsel Mary O’Toole’s scoping inquiry report is staggering. It is another stark reminder of the devastating consequences of the […]

This level of craven inaction is not just inexplicable, it is disgusting. New legal advice has highlighted that enacting the Occupied Territories Bill is not just permissible, it is essential, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. “Israel has been engaged in a relentless annihilation of Gaza for nearly a year, while the western world […]

Increased electricity demand from data centres means we are running to stand still in trying to meet our climate action targets, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, said: “Analysis published today by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) shows that all the […]

A failure to reduce child poverty numbers will be one of this Government’s most shameful legacies, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “Despite record budget surpluses, there are more than 260,000 children living in poverty in Ireland – an increase of 30,000 in the […]

The latest homelessness figures have shown the devastating consequences of this Government’s housing failures, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s spokesperson on housing, said: “There are now 14,429 people living in homeless emergency accommodation – the highest ever recorded in the history of the State. “Shockingly, 4,401 of […]

New figures again highlight the enormous mountain that individuals and families have to climb if they want to buy a home, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “Confirmation today that fewer than 60 percent of new homes are available to buy is further evidence of dysfunction in our housing system. “The situation is […]

The Government must immediately outline what action it intends to take following reports that arms shipments destined for Israel flew through Irish airspace, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on defence, said: “The revelations in the Ditch that an Israel-bound cargo plane travelling from the United States […]

The latest Daft.ie Rental Price Report proves that the maximum rent increases allowed for in Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) are not being enforced, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “The report published today shows that market rents rose by an average of 2 per cent […]

The Minister for Education should be tackling the teacher recruitment crisis instead of focusing her efforts on a proposed smartphone ban for secondary schools, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on education, said: “As the new term begins, principals around the country are once again scrambling to […]

The decision to defer the introduction of a residential zoned land tax shows that the Government is not serious about tackling the housing crisis, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s spokesperson on housing, said: “The Government’s cynical U-turn on this tax, which was due to be introduced next […]