Rory Hearne fights to save Number 11 bus service

Rory Hearne, the Social Democrats general election candidate in Dublin North-West, has urged the National Transport Authority (NTA) to reverse its plans to axe the Number 11 route as part of BusConnects changes due to come into effect next month. Dr Hearne said: “Under changes to be introduced in late November, the Numbers 4, 11 […]

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Social Democrats launch affordable homes plan

The Social Democrats have revealed ambitious plans for the delivery of tens of thousands of affordable homes over a five-year period. Details of the fully costed proposals are outlined in the party’s new policy document, ‘Homes Within Reach – Our Plan for Affordable Housing’, which was launched in Dublin today (Monday, October 14). The policy […]

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Coalition spat over stamp duty rates for vulture funds a distraction from the real issues

Government party differences over what measures are needed to discourage vulture funds from bulk buying homes have been described as an unwelcome distraction from the real issues by Rory Hearne, the Social Democrats’ general election candidate in Dublin North-West. Dr Hearne, who is a lecturer, author and housing campaigner, said: “What we heard from a […]

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Soaring House Prices Further Evidence Of Government Failure

How are people on average incomes ever supposed to aspire to own their own home? Surging house price inflation is further evidence that the government’s housing plan is not working, according to Social Democrats Dublin North-West election candidate Rory Hearne. “House prices in Dublin in July soared by a whopping 9.3 percent – while house […]

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Cairns pays tribute to Soc Dems’ European Election candidates

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has paid tribute to the party’s three candidates in the European Elections. Deputy Cairns said: “I could not be prouder of the exceptional campaigns run by Rory Hearne, Susan Doyle and Sinéad Gibney in Midlands-North-West, Ireland South and Dublin respectively. “This was the first time the party contested all three […]

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EU-wide solutions to vacancy and dereliction must be found

There needs to be EU-wide discussions on the most effective measures to tackle the issue of vacant homes and dereliction, according to Rory Hearne, the Social Democrats’ European Election candidate in Midlands-North-West. Mr Hearne, a prominent housing campaigner, author and academic, made his comments after viewing derelict buildings in Leixlip, Co Kildare, with Cllr Nuala […]

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ESRI report exposes the human cost of failed housing policy

Failed Government housing policy is having a major impact on the physical and mental health of families, according to Rory Hearne, the Social Democrats’ Midlands-North-West candidate in the European Elections. Mr Hearne, who is a housing campaigner, author and lecturer, said: “Today’s ESRI report lays bare the human cost of the housing crisis. The study […]

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Soc Dems launch Local and European Election campaigns

The Social Democrats today launched their campaigns for next month’s Local and European Elections. For the first time, the party will be running candidates in all three constituencies for the European Elections – Sinéad Gibney (Dublin), Rory Hearne (Midlands-North-West) and Susan Doyle (Ireland South). The Social Democrats are also contesting the Limerick Mayoral election with […]

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