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Speaking at the All Ireland Civic Dialogue in Dublin, Social Democrats representative for Castleknock and Blanchardstown Aengus Ó Maoláin said that it is time for Ireland to stop coping with the fallout from Brexit, and start planning to maximise the opportunities presented by the UK’s departure from the EU. “The decision by the UK to […]

The Minister for Justice must heed the stark warning from the Commission on the Future of Policing regarding the extent of the problems in the Garda which are clearly more significant that the government seems to realise, Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD said today. Deputy Shortall was commenting on the Commission’s warning in a […]

Assurances by the Minister for Education that all school buildings have been built to the highest standards in recent years don’t stack up in the light of the announcement this week that another 30 schools are to undergo fire safety audits, Social Democrats Cllr Cian O’Callaghan said today. The Fingal Councillor, who is the party’s […]

The housing crisis will not be solved until the obstacle presented by the constitutional provision on private property is amended, Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD said today. Speaking during Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil, Deputy Shortall called on the Taoiseach to commit to holding a referendum on Article 43 of the constitution as a […]

Catherine Murphy TD, Co-Leader of the Social Democrats, has cautiously welcomed the Taoiseach’s remarks yesterday regarding property tax hikes but she said the entire system of Local Property Tax requires significant overhaul as research undertaken by her shows the system is not working in a fair manner across the country. She also strongly challenged the […]

With the right level of investment Ireland can showcase the vibrancy of its culture all year around, not just one night a year, Social Democrats spokesperson on Arts Development, Councillor Gary Gannon said today. Cllr Gannon was speaking ahead of the 13th annual Culture Night tonight, which sees events taking place in Dublin and across […]

The Social Democrats today set out the party’s priorities for the new Dáil term, with a focus on effective measures to address people’s housing and health needs, ensure sustainable economic growth, and tackle corruption. Speaking ahead of the resumption of the Dáil after the summer break, the party’s joint leaders said tackling the ongoing crises […]

Today’s designation of Greystones and Drogheda as rent pressure zones is a relief to people renting in those areas – but what is actually needed is a pegging of rent increases to the Consumer Price Index, the Social Democrats said today. The party’s co-leader Catherine Murphy TD, said: “The fact that Greystones and Drogheda are […]

The government’s legislative programme for the new Dáil term totally lacks any sign of ambition when it comes to tackling corruption and white-collar crime, the Social Democrats said today. The party’s co-leader Róisín Shortall TD said: “It is both pathetic and dispiriting that the government has set the bar so low in terms of tackling […]

A national grant scheme to rejuvenate towns and villages in rural Ireland should be extended so that larger towns and urban villages qualify, according to the Social Democrats. The recommendation is one of ten solutions the party is putting forward as part of its ten-point Project Main Street plan. The proposals are aimed at stimulating […]