News

The Minister claims to be concerned by climate change, and coastal erosion, but actions speak louder than words Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien is failing coastal communities impacted by coastal erosion, according to Social Democrats Cllr. Paul Mulville. “In September 2020, Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien announced the creation of the National Coastal Change Management Strategy Steering […]

Our antiquated electricity grid cannot sustain the uncontrolled proliferation of data centres The government must introduce a moratorium on the construction of new data centres if it wants to reach its emission reduction targets, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “The growth of data centres in Ireland, and the consequent increased demand on […]

The government must move from climate rhetoric to climate action Today’s landmark report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a stark reminder that time is running out to avert a climate catastrophe, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “The IPCC report is a stark reminder that time is running out […]

This sector has been continually neglected by the government Today’s large protest by fishers from around country highlights the frustration and fear felt by coastal communities, according to Social Democrats Agriculture, Food and the Marine Spokesperson Holly Cairns. “This sector has been continually neglected by the government. Any marginal engagement was too little too late. In response […]

We cannot rely on the Catholic Church to voluntarily relinquish control of the education system. The government is paying lip-service to the idea of a fully inclusive education system, according Social Democrats Education Spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon was responding to a report today noting the government’s plan to provide 400 multi-denominational primary schools by […]

What is presented as the truth is, at best, heavily disputed and, at worst, a whitewashed fiction  It is astonishing that the Children’s Minster is still standing over the report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes – despite conceding its members misapplied the law, according to Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns. […]

Climate Action Bill pays lip service to the concept of ‘just transition’  Climate action cannot come at the expense of those workers and communities who can least afford it, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, a member of the Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action, said: “The Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action […]

The members of this Commission have steadfastly refused to appear before our Committee to answer questions The Mother and Baby Homes report has rewritten Irish history and must be repudiated by the government, according to Social Democrats TD, and Oireachtas Children’s Committee member, Holly Cairns. “Following the participation of one of the members of the […]

As recently as last month the Vatican stated the Catholic Church cannot bless same-sex unions as God “cannot bless sin” It is wrong for religious ethos to influence the content of relationships and sexuality education, according Social Democrats Education Spokesperson Gary Gannon, who was commenting on the publication of a new sexual education programme developed […]

Social Democrats’ Spokesperson on Education Equality and Access, Cllr Gary Gannon, has said a large scale digital vocational training programme aimed at the unemployed and underemployed could be a powerful driver of inclusive prosperity. “Partnering with the big technology companies to implement a digital apprenticeship scheme would be game changing for Ireland’s economic prospects. It […]