News

There is every chance of this situation becoming much worse if Ukrainian refugees, evicted after remaining in State accommodation for 90 days, also become homeless Moving homeless migrants between different locations in Dublin is now what amounts to government migration policy, according to Social Democrats’ Dublin MEP candidate Sinéad Gibney. Ms Gibney, a former chief […]

The EU’s collective response to the massacre in Gaza has been weak and inhumane. If EU values stand for anything, that must change The Taoiseach must request an urgent European Council meeting, at which sanctions on Israel are imposed, if Israel proceeds with a ground invasion in Rafah, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. […]

“I strongly reject accusations of discrimination made by the Israeli ambassador against the Social Democrats. “If the Ambassador had contacted the party before making her remarks, she would have been told that Ms Degani was deselected after a number of failed attempts to resolve issues. Those efforts extended to hiring an external mediator as well […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has expressed grave concern at reports today of oil covered birds turning up on beaches along Ireland’s east coast. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on biodiversity, said: “I am shocked to learn of this incident, which is being closely monitored by Birdwatch Ireland and the Oiled Wildlife Response […]

The latest Rent Index report from the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) is further evidence that rents in Ireland are out of control, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Someone looking for a place to rent is now paying an average of €1,595 per month, rising […]

The Government’s failure to bring in overdue reform of ethics legislation is undermining public confidence in politics, according to Social Democrats TD Róisín Shortall. “In the 2020 Programme for Government, there was a commitment given to reform and consolidate the ethics in public office legislation. “However, 14 months after the Government published a review of […]

The Government is sending out mixed messages on whether it intends to increase the stamp duty rate on the bulk purchase of homes by investment firms, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “In 2021, the Government introduced a 10 per cent stamp duty rate in […]

Social Democrats health spokesperson Róisín Shortall has welcomed the Taoiseach’s willingness to consider her proposal for the State to purchase Barrington’s Hospital in Limerick as part of a range of measures needed to solve the healthcare crisis in the region. “In response to my proposal in the Dáil today, the Taoiseach indicated that consideration would […]

The Government must seek an urgent explanation from the operators of the Re-turn scheme as to why thousands of Reverse Vending Machines were not disability-proofed before being brought into use, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Climate and Biodiversity, said: “Significant accessibility issues with these machines […]

The latest homelessness figures should not be treated as a cause for celebration by the Minister for Housing, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “There are now 13,866 people living in homeless emergency accommodation – the highest number in the history of the State. Tragically, […]