News

It is scandalous that Ireland is facing billions of euros in fines because of the Government’s failure to meet its climate targets, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, said: “According to the latest Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report, Ireland is set to miss […]

Social Democrats health spokesperson Róisín Shortall has again questioned why a model three hospital for the mid-west region is only being considered now. “At today’s Oireachtas Public Petitions Committee, I asked the Minister for Health why it has taken him four years to consider a model three hospital for the UL Hospital Group. “Every other […]

In light of RTÉ’s own spectacular u-turn, the Social Democrats have again written to RTÉ to reiterate our request that our Ireland South candidate Susan Doyle be allowed to participate in the upcoming tv debate RTÉ’s decision to change the qualifying criteria for its tv debate for Limerick’s directly elected mayor means there is no […]

A damning report from the Housing Commission highlights how the Government rejected a long list of practical solutions to the housing crisis, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “The report from the Housing Commission presents a scathing picture of this Government’s ‘ineffective decision making and […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has warmly welcomed the Government’s decision to recognise the State of Palestine but called for further pressure on Israel to end the carnage in Gaza. “The Social Democrats have long called for the Government to match its strong words of condemnation with action – and this is a historic move […]

Getting rid of best before dates would dramatically reduce food waste in Ireland, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, said: “At today’s meeting of the Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action, I pointed out that a million tonnes of food is thrown […]

A damning report from the Housing Commission is further evidence that the Government’s housing targets are hopelessly inadequate, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “According to reports today, the Housing Commission estimates that Ireland’s housing deficit from pent-up demand is as high as 256,000 homes. […]

Shameful levels of child poverty will be one of this Government’s enduring legacies, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “The release of the Children’s Rights Alliance’s third Child Poverty Monitor makes for grim reading. “The report reveals that 260,773 children experienced enforced deprivation in […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has welcomed the decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to seek arrest warrants for top Israeli and Hamas leadership. “Charges against Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant include causing extermination, causing starvation as a method of war – including the denial of humanitarian relief supplies – and […]

A Social Democrats’ motion highlighting the deepening crisis in dental care in Ireland will be debated in the Dáil on Wednesday (May 22). Róisín Shortall TD, the party’s health spokesperson, said: “Dental care continues to be one of the most neglected areas of our health service. “The school screening programme is of particular concern. Children […]