News

The Minister for Education is continuing to sleepwalk through the teacher recruitment crisis in our schools, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “The annual teachers’ conferences taking place this week should refocus Minister Foley’s mind on one of the most serious challenges facing our education […]

The high number of people living in poverty in Ireland highlights the prevailing level of income inequality in this country, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on social welfare, said: “The at risk of poverty rate, as measured by the Central Statistics Office, was 10.6 per cent […]

Changes to Special Education Teaching allocations will have a devastating impact on children with additional needs, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “The decision by the Department of Education to completely remove children with complex needs as a criteria for the allocation of Special Education […]

The Tánaiste’s call for an EU-wide travel ban on violent Jewish settlers must be extended to include extremist members of the Israeli government, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s foreign affairs spokesperson, said: “Last month, the Tánaiste said he would be calling for sanctions to be applied against […]

The decriminalisation of drug use must be accompanied by a health-led response to addiction and a comprehensive plan to tackle poverty and deprivation, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon made his comments during today’s Dáil debate on the Misuse of Drugs (Cannabis Regulation Bill 2022), which is being supported by the Social […]

A planning application seeking permission to place steel railings around Dublin’s Ambassador Theatre to deter anti-social behaviour highlights the need for urgent Dáil statements on the decline and neglect of the city centre, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is a TD for Dublin Central, said: “It is a sad state […]

The Minister for Justice must immediately outline her long-term policing plan for Dublin now that the garda overtime budget for the city has been exhausted, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who represents Dublin Central, said: “The €10 million in garda overtime announced for the capital last summer was always going to […]

Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has expressed his solidarity with the thousands of workers who gathered on O’Connell Street today to denounce the scenes of violent disorder witnessed during last week’s city centre riots. Deputy Gannon, who represents Dublin Central, said: “Those who participated in today’s peaceful demonstration at the GPO encapsulate the true spirit […]

Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has expressed no confidence in Garda Commissioner Drew Harris following last night’s unprecedented level of rioting in Dublin city centre. Deputy Gannon, who represents Dublin Central, said: “The scenes of near anarchy in our capital city last night have no place in any civilised democracy. “Last night’s shocking events are […]

The Government’s refusal to allow time next week for a Dáil debate on Ireland formally recognising the State of Palestine – to coincide with International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People – has been described as a missed opportunity by Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on foreign […]