News

The government must introduce a targeted €400 energy credit to help people who are struggling with soaring energy prices, according to Social Democrats Finance Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “The war in the Middle East is now in its sixth day and the price of oil and gas is continuing to skyrocket. The average […]

The Social Democrats have officially launched Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich’s campaign for the forthcoming Galway West by-election. The launch, which took place in the Harbour Hotel in Galway on Saturday, was attended by Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan TD, Sinéad Gibney TD, and Senator Patricia Stephenson, who is the party’s director of elections for Galway […]

Over-dependence on a handful of multinational companies’ corporation tax leaves the State exposed to huge risk, according to Social Democrats finance spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “Last year, the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council warned that overreliance on unstable corporate tax revenues is reckless. “Today, IFAC has estimated that almost half of the corporation tax […]

Social Democrats TDs Cian O’Callaghan and Gary Gannon have criticised the government for announcing the latest Stardust redress scheme without any consultation with survivors. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is a TD for Dublin Bay North, said: “As we approach the 45th anniversary of the Stardust fire tragedy, the government has added further stress and pain to […]

New Oxfam data exposes a level of inequality in Ireland that should shake this government out of its complacency, according to Social Democrats finance spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “Ireland’s billionaires have seen their fortunes surge to more than €46.7 billion, meaning 11 individuals are collectively earning more than 85 per cent of the […]

It is inexcusable that more than 30 serving and former ministers have yet to commence a process to repay pension money that was overpaid to them in error, according to Social Democrats finance spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “Last year, it emerged that 34 serving ministers, and 39 former ministers, had been overpaid as […]

Former Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe must appear before an Oireachtas committee to answer questions about the government’s decision to provide an extra €10 million to the World Bank prior to him taking up a senior position with the international development organisation, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s finance […]

The new Minister for Finance must break the cycle of reckless budget overruns, according to Social Democrats finance spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan made his comments after the delayed publication of the government’s Medium-Term Fiscal and Structural Plan. He said: “Overruns have already reached €4.1 billion this year. This habit of overspending is not a […]

The publication today of the Accelerating Infrastructure report is overshadowed by the government’s decision to postpone delivery of DART+ South West and the Luas extension to Finglas, according to Social Democrats Finance, Public Expenditure and Infrastructure spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “At today’s launch of Accelerating Infrastructure, bold claims were made by the Taoiseach, […]

Ireland’s infrastructure delivery is the slowest in Europe – a damning indictment of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. The Government’s announcement of emergency legislation to fast-track infrastructure projects is a belated admission of failure, according to Social Democrats Finance and Public Expenditure spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “According to the Draghi Report on EU […]