News

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called on the Minister for Agriculture to come up with an eradication plan for bovine tuberculosis (bTB) that does not involve the culling of badgers. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on agriculture, said: “A recent investigation by the Journal found that of the 10,301 badgers culled in […]

The European Union’s belated decision to review its trade agreement with Israel, while welcome, will not come soon enough to stave off the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza, according to Social Democrats senator Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson, who is the party’s spokesperson on foreign affairs and trade, said: “With dire warnings from the UN that […]

The government must stop breaking the law when it comes to protecting vulnerable children and act on the latest report recommending reform of the care system, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who’s the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “An external review of special care commissioned by Tusla has found that the […]

It is outrageous that the Seanad has yet to dedicate debate time to discussing the ongoing genocide in Gaza, according to Social Democrats Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Incredibly, there has yet to be a dedicated debate in the Seanad to discuss the genocide in Gaza. This is outrageous and inexplicable. “At […]

Today, Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly will introduce the Reduction of the Voting Age to Sixteen Years Bill 2025, to provide for a legislative pathway for the reduction of the age at which a person may vote from 18 to 16 years of age in Ireland. Deputy Farrelly, who’s the party’s spokesperson for children, equality […]

The latest Daft.ie report highlights the sheer folly of the government’s intention to make changes to Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs), according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Today’s Daft report paints the bleakest picture yet of the cost of renting a home in Ireland. The figures […]

Housing Minister James Browne’s admission that the government is considering a State-led saving scheme to help finance the delivery of homes – an initiative previously proposed by the Social Democrats – has been welcomed by Rory Hearne TD. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “I have today written to the Taoiseach, Tánaiste […]

The government’s reaction to the school attendance crisis is déjà vu disguised as innovation, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who’s the party’s education spokesperson, said: “Let’s be clear: this crisis didn’t come out of nowhere – for years, the School Completion Programme ran effective, community-based attendance monitoring and promotion in DEIS […]

The latest house commencement data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) paints a picture of failed government policy in freefall, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s spokesperson on housing, said: “The figures released by the CSO today do not bode well for expected housing delivery in the […]

OPW Minister Kevin Boxer Moran must clarify comments he made today which failed to distance Castletown House community groups from illegal activity, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who represents Kildare North, said: “In an interview on Morning Ireland today, the Minister was asked for an update about his engagement with community […]