News

The Social Democrats have made a submission to the Commission on the Defence Forces, describing it as an opportunity to evolve Ireland’s current defence and security framework so it can meet future challenges. Cian O’Callaghan TD, the party’s spokesperson for Defence, said: “Our primary recommendation is for the Commission to develop and adopt a comprehensive […]

The Social Democrats have expressed solidarity with women across the island of Ireland who have been deeply disturbed by the death of Sarah Everard in the UK and the disproportionate actions by police at the Clapham Common vigil. In a statement, party representatives said that women must be able to live an active life in […]

Social Democrat Councillor Chris Pender has expressed disappointment after a funding application for a second bridge in Newbridge was rejected under the Government’s Urban Regeneration & Development Fund. Cllr Pender said: “There is a clear lack of foresight about this important piece of infrastructure and I have written to the Minister to get a better […]

Social Democrats councillors in Kildare have expressed concern over a proposed Government Bill that will remove the right of local elected representatives to vote on the sale of public land to the Land Development Agency. The LDA has been created to increase the State’s output of social and affordable housing. However, Cllr Nuala Killeen has […]

The Social Democrats Group on Dublin City Council object strongly to the plans announced by the Government today to remove Councillors’ oversight on the sale of public land to the Land Development Agency. Councillor Catherine Stocker said: “This is a power grab by a Government focused on private market solutions to the housing crisis. The […]

Social Democrats councillor Joan Hopkins will be calling for gender balance on Fingal County Council’s Corporate Policy Group (CPG) when she puts forward a motion at this month’s council meeting. The Corporate Policy Group is made up of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and the Chairs of the council’s six Special Policy Committees. Its function includes preparing […]

Cllr Chris Pender has submitted a motion to Kildare County Council calling on councillors to consider returning part of their expenses that cover ‘travel allowances’ to their meetings. The Newbridge based Social Democrats representative is asking for a voluntary scheme where councillors can defer their travel expenses while meetings are held online. Cllr Pender said: […]

Social Democrats councillors on Dublin City Council have added their names to a cross-party statement of solidarity with Lord Mayor Hazel Chu after she was subjected to racially motivated harassment outside the Mansion House. Cllr Mary Callaghan, Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin, stated: “I would like to offer Lord Mayor Hazel Chu my strong and […]

Social Democrats councillor Joan Hopkins will be calling for an award-winning local authority project, called ‘Participatory Budgeting,’ to be expanded into Fingal County when she puts forward a motion at this month’s council meeting. According to Cllr Hopkins, the idea for ‘Participatory Budgeting’ is that local residents get a direct say on which local projects […]

The Kildare grouping of Social Democrats councillors – Cllr Nuala Killeen, Cllr Chris Pender and Cllr Aidan Farrelly – have secured a firm commitment from Kildare County Council to ringfence the first €250,000 of any potential funding increases in 2021 for community services. During the 2021 Annual Budget meeting, the Social Democrats councillors proposed a […]