News

The government excels at climate rhetoric, but this is not matched with climate action Social Democrats Spokesperson for Climate, Jennifer Whitmore TD, has described the findings of the Environmental Protection Agency’s report as disappointing, but not surprising. Deputy Whitmore was commenting today after the EPA published its 2022 Greenhouse Gas Inventory report. “Emissions have come […]

We deserve to have a functioning fire service – one that respects retained firefighters and the valuable work they do The Government must outline what steps it will take to avert strike action by retained firefighters if Labour Court proposals to settle the dispute are rejected by SIPTU members, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer […]

The outcome of today’s European Parliament vote is welcome – but the devil will be in the detail of the law’s final text  Today’s passing of the Nature Restoration Law by the European Parliament will be meaningless if the final text of the legislation is watered down any further, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer […]

People need to see an emergency response to the housing crisis, not pointless reports The latest Housing for All progress report shows that the Government continues to be in denial about the scale of the crisis, according to Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s spokesperson on housing, said: “This […]

We cannot – and should not – tolerate a situation in which hundreds and thousands of calves are being bred to suffer from the moment of birth The shocking maltreatment of bull calves highlighted by RTÉ Investigates tonight is a direct consequence of Government policy to encourage intensification and expansion within the dairy sector, according […]

This fig leaf measure further exposes the government’s incompetent handling of the housing disaster The delay in introducing a right of first refusal for renters, when their home is put up for sale, is further evidence the government is making up their housing policy as they go along, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian […]

Parents are sick and tired of forking out huge sums of money on schoolbooks that will have to be recycled Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called on the Government to address the high cost of schoolbooks for parents of secondary school students. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “I know […]

From an animal welfare and biodiversity perspective, I am strongly opposed to hare coursing Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called on the Minister for Heritage not to issue any licences for the upcoming coursing season after raising concerns about the welfare of pregnant hares. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate action […]

Long term planning must be a central function of government – and this has sadly been lacking. The summer economic statement has again highlighted the government’s failure to sufficiently plan for the country’s future needs, according to Social Democrats Finance Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “The headline figures reflect a healthy fiscal position – but they mask […]

With housing continuing to dominate the political agenda, Deputy O’Callaghan will play a key role in proposing workable solutions to the crisis Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has welcomed the appointment of Dublin Bay North TD Cian O’Callaghan as the party’s deputy leader. Deputy Cairns said: “I am so happy to announce that Cian will […]