News

An effective promise to increase energy costs is a bizarre election promise Fine Gael’s VAT proposals for hospitality would result in increased energy costs for everyone in the country, according to Social Democrats energy spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “If Fine Gael abolishes the 9% VAT rate, and replaces it with a permanent 11% rate, the energy […]

Michael O’Leary just said the quiet part out loud Outgoing enterprise minister Peter Burke must clarify if he stands over derisory comments made about teachers at the launch of his election campaign last night, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Gary Gannon. “At the launch of Peter Burke’s election campaign, Michael O’Leary opted to slag […]

A major hotel in Dublin, charging exorbitant rates for rooms, cannot and should not be compared to a small cafe in West Cork Hospitality should be split between accommodation and food with a 9% VAT rate applying to food and beverages, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns said: “Small hospitality businesses are […]

Statement from Holly Cairns TD on the start of the election campaign “Elections are about the future. They are a choice about the kind of country we want to live in. “The Social Democrats want a future where every person can thrive and every community flourish. “That future starts with prioritising what is important: affordable […]

This level of craven inaction is not just inexplicable, it is disgusting. New legal advice has highlighted that enacting the Occupied Territories Bill is not just permissible, it is essential, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. “Israel has been engaged in a relentless annihilation of Gaza for nearly a year, while the western world […]

Pushing targets for delivery out to 2028, while we are in the midst of a crisis, points to a government that is floundering The only surprise in the government’s new accommodation strategy for international protection applicants is that this flimsy document took so long to produce, according to Social Democrats Jennifer Whitmore. “Integration Minister Roderick […]

Media Minister Catherine Martin must come before the Dáil and answer questions following the release of a damning statement by former RTE Chair Siún Ní Raghallaigh, according to Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy. Deputy Murphy, who is the deputy chair of the Public Accounts Committee, said: “Ms Ní Raghallaigh’s damning statement raises a number of […]

It is absolutely disgusting that more than 1,000 vulnerable asylum applicants are living in tents on the streets – during sub-zero weather – while nearly 5,000 asylum and refugee beds are vacant, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “It is absolutely disgusting that there are literally thousands of empty beds throughout […]

The Taoiseach has committed to ratifying the Optional Protocol for the UN Convention on the Rights of People With Disabilities in the term of this government – he must now provide a precise date, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “Last night, Minister for Disability Roderic O’Gorman said “Ireland is falling down in terms […]

If Children’s Health Ireland want confidence to be restored, it must be fully transparent The public deserves answers now about the circumstances which led to 19 children suffering serious complications, with one child tragically dying, after spinal surgery in Temple Street, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “At the outset, I want to […]