News

Education, based on facts and science, should be the bare minimum that all of our children can expect Children’s Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) must be informed by best practice in science and healthcare, according to Social Democrats Education Spokesperson Gary Gannon, who has launched new legislation to reform the way RSE is taught. “In a […]

The introduction of directly elected Mayors should be a catalyst for change, not a mandate for more of the same The proposed powers for the directly elected Mayor of Limerick do not go far enough, according to the Social Democrats Local Government Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan was commenting after the Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local […]

Workers and young families, desperate to find a home, will find very little to be hopeful about in today’s figures House price increases of more than 12pc in the past year have firmly bolted the door to home ownership for generation rent, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “House prices in Ireland are […]

The Minister has yet to appoint an independent expert, finalise terms of reference or provide a time-frame for the review The failure of the Minister for Health to appoint an independent expert to review the State’s abortion law is deeply concerning, according to Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns. “Under section 7 of the Health (Regulation […]

An immediate ban on rent increases must introduced as a matter of urgency The latest rent report from Daft.ie is further evidence that rent levels are out of control, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “It is alarming that rents have risen by almost 7pc in the past year. Average rents are now […]

Our climate action targets cannot be met without these large-scale public transport projects The delay of Metrolink for at least ten years is a catastrophe for the greater Dublin region and means we are almost assured of missing our climate action targets, according to Social Democrats Transport Spokesperson Catherine Murphy. “The revised Dublin transport plan […]

It should not take more than a year to turn around a social home – this should be done in a matter of weeks  The State must take the lead in tackling vacancy, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan T.D. Deputy O’Callaghan was reacting to a report, from the National Oversight and Audit […]

This is the third half-hearted and ineffective attempt to deal with big funds buying up entire housing developments The proposal going to cabinet today to allow local authorities reserve up to 50% of new developments for owner-occupiers does not go far enough, according to the Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “With this latest measure, […]

The granting of permission to this enormous development proves the city development is no longer worth the paper it is written on The decision of An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission to a Strategic Housing Development on the grounds of Holy Cross seminary in Drumcondra is deeply concerning, according to Social Democrats Dublin Central […]

An enhanced grant support scheme would make EVs a more viable and attractive option The government should introduce an enhanced grant scheme for electric vehicles (EVs) for those living in rural Ireland, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “Many people in rural Ireland have no transport option other than their private car. If […]