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This Orwellian rubbish is beneath contempt The government is attempting to rewrite Dáil rules for the benefit of Lowry Independents, according to Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “The submission by the government, on Dáil reform, is outrageous. They want to afford Lowry Independents, who are government backbench TDs, speaking slots on […]

It is deeply troubling that the Taoiseach appears to be blissfully unaware of EU funding streams that could be accessed by the State to build affordable homes, according to Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan. “The Government’s latest plan for housing is nothing more than recycled Celtic Tiger-era policy – namely, one that offers tax […]

Commenting tonight on the Ceann Comhairle’s ruling that the Regional Group cannot form a Dáil technical group for the purposes of speaking rights, Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan said: “This is a significant ruling and confirms what Opposition parties have been saying from the outset. “Government backbenchers cannot masquerade as members of the Opposition […]

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are dancing to Michael Lowry’s tune, according to Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan. “Michael Lowry is attempting to rewrite history. Having previously bragged about his role in Government, he is now claiming he is in Opposition. “Instead of objecting to this farce, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are dancing […]

Homeowners must see a reduction in their mortgage interest rates, according to Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s new spokesperson on finance, said: “The European Central Bank decision to reduce interest rates by 0.25 per cent today should mean relief for under pressure mortgage holders. “Homeowners have been under […]

The Social Democrats will be a strong voice for accountability, equality and sustainability  Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan has today announced the party’s new spokespeople. “At the last election, the Social Democrats received an increased mandate and we now have an enlarged parliamentary party with which to hold the government to account. “Our team […]

Government parties are attempting to mount a rearguard action to reduce Opposition speaking time Instead of cynically using last week’s Dáil speaking time controversy as a pretext to erode Opposition Dáil time, the government could resolve the dispute by cutting all ties with Michael Lowry, according to Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan. “Government pandering […]

The Dáil must be recalled this week to discuss the devastation caused by Storm Éowyn along with plans to provide support to the hundreds and thousands of people still without electricity and water, according to Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan. “Storm Éowyn left a trail of utter destruction in its wake, with the west […]

The Social Democrats do not accept that there is any precedent for this undemocratic power grab by any incoming government Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín should end the charade of Regional Independent TDs masquerading as members of the Opposition by leaving their technical group so its numbers fall below the threshold for speaking rights, according to […]

It is an indictment of the way this government intends to operate that a political stroke is its very first act  Micheál Martin and Simon Harris must clarify if they are happy for Regional Independent TDs to hijack Dáil speaking time set aside to allow the Opposition hold government to account, according to Social Democrats […]