News

VAT could be removed in an amendment to the Finance Bill, which is currently before the Dáil The government should ‘green’ our VAT rates and remove VAT from solar panels and their installation, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “Earlier this year, the EU clarified that a zero VAT rating can apply to […]

The Minister must make the enactment of this Bill a priority The government must quickly move to ensure that a policy of open disclosure becomes mandatory within the health service, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. Deputy Shortall was commenting after the publication of the final report of Dr. Gabriel Scally into the […]

Students finally receive their results – six months after sitting their exams Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has congratulated students on finally receiving their Junior Cert results today, but called on the Minister for Education to provide assurances that the long delays in correcting this year’s exams will never happen again. Deputy Gannon, who is […]

Government clampdown on energy companies’ profits is welcome but overdue Funds generated through a windfall tax on energy companies must be targeted at vulnerable households most at risk from fuel poverty, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Climate and Biodiversity, said: “The Social Democrats have always […]

Figures show Government’s housing plan is an abject failure The latest Daft report paints a grim picture of Ireland’s rental market and is further proof that the Government’s housing plan has failed, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s Housing spokesperson, said: “The latest Daft report is a stark […]

Devil will be in the detail of how loss and damage fund will work in practice  Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has welcomed the last-minute breakthrough at COP27 in securing agreement on a loss and damage fund for poorer countries, but expressed disappointment at the UN climate summit’s failure to step-up emission reduction pledges. Deputy […]

Social Democrats co-leaders Catherine Murphy and Róisín Shortall have announced that Independent Waterford Councillor Mary Roche is joining the party. Deputies Murphy and Shortall travelled to Waterford today to meet Cllr Roche and make the announcement. Cllr Roche said: “I have long admired the work of the Social Democrats and their co-leaders Catherine Murphy and […]

A health-led, compassionate response to drug addiction is urgently required Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has called for a health-led response to drug addiction in Dublin city centre. Deputy Gannon made his comments after TDs were allowed to make statements about Dublin in the Dáil today. “Today’s statements must be followed up with decisive action […]

Transport Minister should veto proposed hike in toll charges  There is no justification for the scale of toll increases due to come into effect within weeks, according to Catherine Murphy TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats. “With private motorists and haulage companies already struggling with increased fuel costs, the reported rise in tolls from January […]

Failure to ease plight of 12-year-old Wicklow girl is inhumane Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has again called on the Minister for Health to immediately intervene in the case of a child in desperate need of scoliosis surgery. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Children, has now raised the plight of 12-year-old Miley […]