News

New figures showing there are over 100,000 empty homes around the country highlight the Government’s failure to bring vacant and derelict properties back into use, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “An analysis of data in the GeoDirectory report reveals there were over 81,000 vacant […]

The Social Democrats will introduce a Dáil motion next week (Wednesday, January 24) calling on the Irish Government to support South Africa’s case against Israel under the Genocide Convention in the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Party leader Holly Cairns said: “We cannot stand idly by while the daily slaughter of innocent civilians in Gaza […]

The Minister for Justice must immediately outline her long-term policing plan for Dublin now that the garda overtime budget for the city has been exhausted, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who represents Dublin Central, said: “The €10 million in garda overtime announced for the capital last summer was always going to […]

The Government has been strongly criticised for not supporting an amendment by Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan to effectively ban the bulk purchase of homes by investment funds. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Last night, I submitted an amendment calling for a 100 per cent stamp duty rate on the bulk […]

The Government’s approach to immigration is in a state of chaos and disarray, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “In recent days and weeks, we have seen U-turn after U-turn by the Government in its efforts to house migrants seeking asylum. “We are now […]

The findings of an Oxfam report into global inequality presents an opportunity for a renewed debate on the need for a wealth tax in Ireland, according to Social Democrats finance spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “Oxfam’s report, which has been released as political leaders gather at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week, makes for stark […]

The latest price cuts announced by Electric Ireland today should not distract from the fact that energy costs for consumers are not coming down quickly enough, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “After an initial reduction was passed on to customers last November, a second […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has written to the Taoiseach urging the Irish Government to support the case taken by South Africa against Israel in the International Court of Justice under the 1948 Genocide Convention. “I listened to the Taoiseach’s comments over the weekend with disappointment, when he said he had no intention of joining […]

Figures released by Revenue prove that measures introduced almost three years ago by the Government to deter the bulk purchasing of homes by investment funds are completely inadequate, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Under new stamp duty measures introduced in 2021, investors purchasing more […]

The Government is continuing to facilitate the bulk purchase of homes by investment funds – and failing to protect first time buyers, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesman Cian O’Callaghan. Commenting on a report in the Business Post of an investment fund buying 46 of 54 homes in a Dublin housing estate, the TD for […]