News

The Government’s disastrous handling of the international protection accommodation crisis will come under increased scrutiny when a Social Democrats’ motion is debated in the Dáil next week (Thursday, March 21). Deputy Jennifer Whitmore, the party’s spokesperson on integration, said: “In recent weeks, we have seen growing numbers of international protection applicants forced to sleep in […]

The Minister for Integration must immediately respond to the escalating humanitarian crisis facing migrants living in tents on the streets of Dublin, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “The disgraceful scene outside the International Protection office on Mount Street – where around 150 tents now line the pavement – is a […]

Social Democrats councillor for Limerick City West, Elisa O’Donovan, has today announced she will be the party’s candidate for Mayor of Limerick. O’Donovan made the announcement standing on the banks of the River Deel in Rathkeale, close to where she grew up. O’Donovan, who was the first Social Democrats representative elected in Munster in 2019, […]

Rory Hearne, the highly respected housing campaigner, author and academic, has been officially selected as the Social Democrats’ Midlands-North-West candidate in the European Elections. Rory is Associate Professor in Social Policy at Maynooth University and author of the best-selling book, ‘Gaffs’, which set out a roadmap to solving the housing crisis. Considered to be one […]

Arts Minister Catherine Martin should stand in solidarity with Irish artists who have cancelled appearances at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Texas due to the event’s association with the US military and arms industry, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns said: “It is heartening to see a growing number of […]

Home ownership rates are set to collapse further with just 6 per cent of apartments built in Dublin available to buy, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Last year, apartments accounted for more than 35 per cent of all new homes built. With apartments playing […]

Today’s referendum result is a direct consequence of a rushed and confused campaign by the Government, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns said: “The defeat of both the family and care referendums is the result of a rushed and confused campaign by the Government. “The Government delayed publishing the wording of both […]

Prominent human rights advocate Sinéad Gibney has been formally selected as the Social Democrats’ Dublin candidate in the 2024 European Elections. Sinéad has a distinguished background in human rights, equality advocacy and leadership in business and the public sector. Her career has spanned roles with Google, Trinity College and the Irish Human Rights and Equality […]

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 […]

Media Minister Catherine Martin must come before the Dáil and answer questions following the release of a damning statement by former RTE Chair Siún Ní Raghallaigh, according to Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy. Deputy Murphy, who is the deputy chair of the Public Accounts Committee, said: “Ms Ní Raghallaigh’s damning statement raises a number of […]