News

Cutting the grant for residential solar panels from January will completely undermine the Government’s Climate Action Plan, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, said: “This week, the Taoiseach is attending COP28 in Dubai where he has talked about Ireland’s need to reduce greenhouse […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has described the first day agreement on a loss and damage fund at COP28 as a positive start but warned that the climate summit would ultimately be judged on commitments secured to phase out the use of fossil fuels. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, […]

Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan has said it is concerning that a report from the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) shows rents in existing tenancies rising well beyond the 2 per cent legal limit. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Rent Pressure Zone regulations are supposed to cap rent increases at 2 per […]

Ireland must follow the example set by Australia by issuing an official State apology to Thalidomide survivors, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “The national apology given by Australia’s Prime Minister this week is a welcome recognition of the decades of suffering experienced by […]

The new €3.1 billion Climate and Nature Fund must not be allowed to facilitate fossil fuel related investments that are at odds with Government policy to reduce Ireland’s greenhouse emissions, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, said: “The 2018 Irish Fossil Fuel Divestment […]

Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has expressed his solidarity with the thousands of workers who gathered on O’Connell Street today to denounce the scenes of violent disorder witnessed during last week’s city centre riots. Deputy Gannon, who represents Dublin Central, said: “Those who participated in today’s peaceful demonstration at the GPO encapsulate the true spirit […]

Homelessness figures today shattered another grim record while local authorities are failing to spend their social housing budgets, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “The latest figures show there are now 13,179 people living in homeless emergency accommodation – tragically, 3,991 of these are children. […]

Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has expressed no confidence in Garda Commissioner Drew Harris following last night’s unprecedented level of rioting in Dublin city centre. Deputy Gannon, who represents Dublin Central, said: “The scenes of near anarchy in our capital city last night have no place in any civilised democracy. “Last night’s shocking events are […]

The Government’s refusal to allow time next week for a Dáil debate on Ireland formally recognising the State of Palestine – to coincide with International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People – has been described as a missed opportunity by Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on foreign […]

East Cork Independent councillor Liam Quaide has announced that he is to join the Social Democrats. Mr Quaide, who is a clinical psychologist, led a campaign in East Cork over the past two years against the closure of the Owenacurra Centre mental health service. Following seven Oireachtas Committee hearings and Mr Quaide’s meeting with HSE […]