News

Half of rough sleepers recorded by homeless outreach team excluded from official figures Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan has asked the Government to explain why not all rough sleepers have been counted in official figures published by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “An article published by […]

Ombudsman slams lack of progress on replacement schemes for disabled drivers  The Ombudsman’s sharp criticism of the lack of supports for drivers with disabilities should be a source of deep embarrassment for the Government, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “Commenting on the publication […]

Enterprise Minister should meet with Tara mine management in Sweden next week  The shock decision to temporarily lay off 650 workers at Tara Mines is a huge blow to the workers, their families, and the wider community in Meath, according to Social Democrats Enterprise Spokesperson Catherine Murphy. “This decision came out of the blue last […]

Throughout his career, Christy stayed true to his Finglas roots The death of Aslan singer Christy Dignam has been described as a sad day for the Finglas community, by local Social Democrats TD Róisín Shortall. “I would like to express my deepest condolences to Christy’s family, friends, bandmates and legion of music fans. “Throughout his […]

There should be a pause on data centre connections until a strategic analysis has been carried out by the Government  The regulation and management of data centres in Ireland should be overseen by a single entity, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on energy and climate action, […]

Figures show there is a real risk that data centres will exceed 30 per cent of all energy usage by 2030  The Government is continuing to turn a blind eye to a surge in energy consumption by data centres, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on energy, […]

HSE has failed to reduce unacceptably long waiting lists The sharp rise in the numbers of children awaiting an assessment of need has been described as utterly unacceptable by Social Democrats health spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “The latest figures provided to me by the HSE are truly shocking. In the first quarter of this year, 4,206 […]

Increase in road toll rates cannot be justified in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis Increased road toll charges due to come into effect next month will heap further pressure on motorists and lead to more price rises for consumers, according to Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy. Deputy Murphy, who is the party’s spokesperson on […]

The government excels at climate rhetoric, but fails dismally at climate action Confirmation that our climate action targets will not be met should not come as a surprise, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “According to the EPA, we have no hope of meeting our 2030 climate action targets. Instead of a reduction […]

Fingal Social Democrats councillor Paul Mulville has called for the urgent publication of the Government’s long-delayed coastal strategy report. Cllr Mulville said: “Social Democrats party leader Holly Cairns has questioned Minister Darragh O’Brien about the long-delayed report from the National Coastal Change Management Strategy Steering Group. “The Minister announced in September 2020 that his Department […]