News

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD to-leader welcomes tonights Brexit deal but cautions against premature optimism given the political instability caused by the deal in the UK “This step in reaching an agreement is very welcome progress. However, it would be naïve to ignore the political realities facing the deal in the current political environment […]

The Social Democrats have backed calls for the Central Bank to bring in strict controls on licensed money lenders to protect vulnerable consumers from being hit with exorbitant interest rates and charges. “It is downright wrong and unfair that the Central Bank is still allowing interest rates of up to 287% to be legally charged […]

The Social Democrats spokesperson on Consumer Affairs and Political Director Anne-Marie McNally has said that the latest Daft.ie report once again proves that those stuck in long-term renting require a different approach in relation to Central Bank mortgage rules as they apply to long-term renters. “The effect of trapping long-term renters in high rents is […]

Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy TD has said an emergency rent freeze is the only way to address astronomical rents, as the latest figures from Daft.ie show a national increase in rents of more than 11 per cent. “There is no just way that ordinary workers, people with families and young people, can continue to […]

Catherine Murphy TD outlines our proposals to combat ‘off the record’ government with a new legal duty on senior officials to make and keep written records of meetings with ministers. A legal duty to document meetings, with sanctions for failing to do so, would put an end to ‘off the record’ government. Opinion: Catherine Murphy […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD, has raised fresh questions and concerns about the 42 schools constructed by Western Building Systems which are currently being assessed for structural defects. We need answers to these questions for anxious parents, teachers and other school staff who have spent the mid-term break concerned about whether they will have […]

The Social Democrats today warmly welcomed the re-election of Michael D. Higgins as a vote for an inclusive and compassionate President who speaks for all the people of Ireland. “The incredibly strong mandate for Michael D. Higgins shows that people want to see our country led by a decent, inclusive and compassionate President who speaks […]

Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy has received a further parliamentary reply regarding former Minister Michael Noonan’s meeting with representatives of Enet including PR adviser to Enet, Eoin O’Neachtain, in December 2016. “It is not in the public interest for the department to withhold this very basic request for information or tangle it in bureaucratic red […]

Social Democrats’ Spokesperson for Children, Councillor Jennifer Whitmore, has said the Department of Education must ensure that structural inspections on all 42 schools built by Western Building Systems will be concluded before the end of the mid-term break. “All affected schools need to know with certainty that these assessments will be carried out within the […]

Responding to reports today that two Dublin schools have been shut down after structural problems were discovered in the buildings, Social Democrats Councillor Cian O’Callaghan said: “There is no excuse for the inaction by the Department – there should have been immediate inspection and audits of all similar schools that were built by Western Building […]