News

The Social Democrats have called on the Pope to acknowledge the complicity of the Catholic Church in clerical child sexual abuse in Ireland, and to commit to mandatory reporting across the world of all cases of child sexual abuse. “Ultimately actions speak louder than words and we’ve heard the apologies before. It’s long past time to move on […]

Taoiseach must raise issue of confessional secrecy on child abuse with Pope Francis “There is a direct conflict between the requirement of our legislation and Canon Law. Canon Law can never be allowed to over-ride civil law, in particular when it comes to the protection of children”. Social Democrats Spokesperson for Children Cllr. Jennifer Whitmore […]

The Social Democrats have criticised today’s announced sale by Ulster Bank of mortgages to US vulture fund Cerberus as yet another example of ordinary people paying a heavy price for the government’s policy failures. “My own experience of dealing with a vulture fund was very difficult. Ulster Bank customers affected by this sale will be […]

Responding to the shooting of a teenager girl in Ballymun last night, co-leader of the Social Democrats and local TD, Róisín Shortall has called for the full restoration of Garda numbers in Ballymun. “Not a day goes by that I don’t hear a report of a burglary, drug dealing, or serious anti-social behaviour. The fact […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has welcomed today’s adoption by the government of the Sláintecare health reform – but questioned its urgency in implementing it. “Today’s announcement is a resounding endorsement of the cross-party Sláintecare vision for a universal, single-tier health system.” Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has welcomed today’s adoption by the […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has said the government must take urgent heed of today’s stark warning by the State’s competitiveness body that our economy is under threat because of an over-reliance on multinationals. “Our high cost of living is another significant threat to our economic competitiveness that must be addressed. Housing, transport, healthcare […]

The Social Democrats have called on the government to put in place workable solutions to stave off the wholesale sale of Permanent TSB’s non-performing home loans to unregulated vulture funds. “It is downright insulting to mortgage holders that the Taoiseach said he hadn’t heard about a State-owned bank’s sale of its Project Glas loan portfolio […]

Social Democrats Spokesperson for Children, Cllr Jennifer Whitmore, has said concerted efforts must be made to bring down back-to-school costs so that parents don’t have to resort to money lenders or use funds earmarked for household bills. “Simply sending your children to school should not mean having to rob Peter to pay Paul by using […]

Social Democrats Councillor Cian O’Callaghan has welcomed the decision by An Bord Pleanála today to grant planning permission for the Baldoyle to Portmarnock cycling and walking route “This new infrastructure will benefit commuters, local residents, visitors to the area and tourists. With large scale development taking place in Baldoyle, Portmarnock and surrounding areas it is […]

Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy TD said today it is morally repugnant that a State-backed corporate landlord has attempted to flout legal rent controls. The Minister for Housing needs to send a clear signal to corporate landlords that this kind of behaviour is morally repugnant, particularly at a time of chronic housing shortages and when […]