News

The process which artists must undertake to create and display art in our public spaces must be reformed and become transparent, according to Social Democrats arts spokesperson Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney said: “The SEEN collaborative artwork project, led by Joe Caslin, recently highlighted that there is no framework for supporting, assessing, and approving public art […]

At least 24 per cent of children with disabilities in State accommodation are living more than 50km from their home – a situation that amounts to a form of enforced separation from family and community life, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “The figures […]

Personal possession of drugs for one’s own use should cease to be treated as a criminal matter and should instead be met with a health-led approach, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is Chair of the Oireachtas Drugs Committee, said: “The Committee recommends the repeal of section 3 of the […]

The Social Democrats are urging councillors on South Dublin County Council to vote against increases to social housing rents this week. The issue of rent increases has been pushed to a vote at a specially convened meeting this Thursday (June 25) by the Social Democrats, Sinn Féin and People Before Profit. The parties have used […]

Minister for Housing James Browne has no grasp on the gravity of the housing and homelessness crisis plaguing Ireland, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “The Minister for Housing yesterday admitted that he has no estimated timelines for homelessness in Ireland to plateau, never mind fall. At the end of […]

The Government has displayed a staggering lack of empathy by refusing to commit to redress for 19 women who were subjected to horrific sexual abuse while pupils at Dunderrow National School in Cork, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “These women are rightly seeking redress for what was done to […]

Criminal legal aid is the glue that holds our justice system together – and the Minister seems determined to destroy it The Justice Minister must release the report he is using as a pretext to take a sledgehammer to the criminal legal aid scheme, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon said: […]

A new report from Barnardos provides further evidence of the need for targeted energy and cost-of-living supports for vulnerable households, according to Social Democrats TD Daniel Ennis. Deputy Ennis, who is the party’s new spokesperson on children, said: “This report confirms what we have known for some time – that too many families in Ireland […]

The Government must investigate if price gouging is taking place at public electric vehicle charging points, according to Social Democrats environment and energy spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “Electric vehicles are an attractive prospect for drivers for two reasons: they’re more environmentally friendly than cars which run on petrol or diesel, and they’re cheaper […]

The Taoiseach must listen to his backbenchers and abandon plans to scrap the Triple Lock, a move which would gravely undermine our neutrality, according to Social Democrats defence spokesperson Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney said: “It’s clear that it remains the view of many Fianna Fáil TDs that retaining the Triple Lock is imperative to protecting […]