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While it’s clear we need to increase housing delivery, it’s also vital that we maximise the use of existing properties, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “The annual report into the performance of local authorities published by the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) paints […]

New figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that rising house prices are locking a generation out of homeownership, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “The price of a home has increased by 9.6 per cent in just one year. “The median price for […]

The latest report on housing from the Central Bank has shown up the empty promises of this Government as we head into a general election, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s spokesperson on housing, said: “Both Taoiseach Simon Harris and Minister Darragh O’Brien repeatedly claim that 40,000 new […]

A decision to reduce ambulance services in Cork and Kerry will put lives at risk, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, who is a TD for Cork South-West, said: “Without any prior consultation with staff, senior management of the National Ambulance Service have announced their intention to reduce ambulance cover in Cork […]

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 […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has urged the Government to include the regulation of nicotine pouches in proposed legislation to ban disposable vapes. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “Under proposals being brought to Cabinet today, the sale of disposable vapes will be banned, with further measures planned to restrict flavours […]

This government must now explain to the people why it has spent eight years fighting this case The government defended corporate interests instead of the public interest when it fought the €13 billion tax judgment, according to Social Democrats Finance Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “I welcome today’s judgment of the European Court of Justice, which has […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has written to Taoiseach Simon Harris asking him to support a proposal that would see the State purchase land in Wicklow to allow for the expansion of the ancient woodland in the Glen of the Downs. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s biodiversity spokesperson and a TD for Wicklow, said: […]

It is an indictment of this government that the number of children experiencing material deprivation has increased by nearly 15 percent at a time when budget coffers are overflowing, according to Social Democrats Finance Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “This government pay lip service to addressing child poverty – but that is all. Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has taken to the seas today to join a groundbreaking research expedition aimed at establishing if great white sharks frequent Irish waters. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, has a background in ecology, marine science and environmental law. Deputy Whitmore said: “I am excited to […]