News

Viktor Orbán’s latest attempt to dehumanise members of the queer community in Hungary by banning Pride events is a blatant violation of their human rights, according to the Social Democrats. Pádraig Rice TD, the party’s Health spokesperson, said: “The decision to ban Pride in Hungary is a full-frontal attack on LGBTQ+ human rights and fundamental […]

The Central Bank’s decision to revise downwards its forecast for residential build completions this year is further proof that the government’s housing plan is in freefall, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “The commitment in the programme for government to deliver 300,000 homes by 2030 […]

Prioritising band-aid measures while ignoring the deeper issues in policing will not address the Garda recruitment and retention crisis, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon was commenting as Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan prepares to bring a report to Cabinet detailing changes to public order policing in the wake of the 2023 […]

The Taoiseach must push for the immediate suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement at this week’s European Council meeting following the appalling massacre of more than 400 people in Gaza by Israeli forces, according to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney, who is the party’s spokesperson on international affairs, said: “The fragile ceasefire between […]

Delays to the construction of thousands of social and affordable homes due to an interdepartmental row over funding is further proof that this government is not capable of tackling the housing crisis, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “It has been reported today that work […]

The Government must stop dithering and make a decision to extend the Basic Income for the Arts scheme before the current pilot runs out, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who’s the party’s Arts spokesperson, said: “When I queried the Arts Minister on his plans for a successor scheme to the pilot […]

Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice TD has called on the Minister for Health to publish the long-awaited sexual health strategy for Ireland. Deputy Rice, who raised this issue in the Dáil today, said: “Ireland currently has no sexual health strategy. We have been without a comprehensive plan or vision for sexual health services since […]

The government must act to insulate consumers from future energy price increases, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “Energy prices in Ireland are the second highest in the EU – and they are continuing to climb. “Last week, Airtricity announced it was hiking its prices […]

There’s no time to waste when it comes to addressing appalling conditions in our prison system, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, the party’s Justice spokesperson, said: “The conditions described in the Office of the Inspector of Prisons (OIP) report are horrendous – some prisoners are forced to sleep on floors and […]

The government is wrong to postpone the introduction of a short-term letting register, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, the party’s Housing spokesperson, said: “The government is wrong to further delay crucial airbnb regulation which could see twelve thousand homes move from the short-term to the long-term rental market. “The housing crisis […]