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The government must put pressure on financial institutions and vulture funds to pass on an anticipated interest rate cut by the European Central Bank (ECB) to mortgage holders, according to Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s finance spokesperson, said: “The ECB is expected to announce a sixth interest rate […]

It is unacceptable that legislative loopholes are allowing abusers to retraumatise their victims, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Speaking on the claims by Sonas Housing, Deputy Gannon, the party’s Justice spokesperson, said: “It’s a gross miscarriage of justice that perpetrators of domestic and sexual violence can access details on the whereabouts of their […]

The Taoiseach must keep his promise to correct employment and governance structures for School Completion Programme (SCP) staff, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s Education spokesperson, said: “Today’s ESRI report, the second of its kind, has been welcomed by School Completion Programme (SCP) workers around the country – […]

The government must invest now if Ireland is to achieve its climate action targets and avoid crippling EU fines of anything between €8 billion and €26 billion, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s climate spokesperson, said: “The report from the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council and the Climate Change […]

The government must address the barriers that contribute to the underrepresentation of women in farming, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on agriculture, was speaking ahead of an event celebrating Irish Women in Farming, which will be jointly hosted tomorrow (Tuesday, March 4) by the European Commission […]

The outsourcing of car park facilities at public hospitals is just another example of the creeping privatisation of our health service, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s spokesperson on health, said: “We learned this weekend that the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) has cancelled a tender for […]

Increase in weapons offences, burglaries and kidnappings comes as no surprise when the Minister for Justice talks tough on crime without taking action, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, the party’s Justice spokesperson, said: “Today’s CSO report paints a picture of a policing strategy flailing aimlessly in the face of rising crime. […]

The government must immediately provide funding guarantees to local authorities to prevent avoidable hold-ups to the tenant in-situ scheme, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “The success of this scheme, which allows local authorities to purchase properties where existing tenants are facing eviction, is completely […]

Stating peacekeeping missions must be in line with the UN charter is a prerequisite so broad as to be meaningless Confirmation that the government intends to dismantle the triple lock is an attack on our neutrality, according to Social Democrats Foreign Affairs and Defence spokesperson Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney said: “The Tánaiste today confirmed that […]

The government must immediately develop a family homelessness strategy and reintroduce a no-fault eviction ban, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, was commenting on the latest homelessness figures, which were published this afternoon. “The figures show there were 15,286 people living in homeless emergency accommodation at […]