News

Confirmation that the optional protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will come into force in Ireland on November 30, while very welcome news, should not distract from the Government’s indefensible delay in ratifying it, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “Ireland signed the UNCRPD as far back as […]

Electric Ireland’s decision to cut the rate it pays to households for excess electricity generated from solar panels has been described as a retrograde step by Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “It is extremely disappointing to see Electric Ireland reduce its microgeneration export tariff rate, from […]

Revising housing targets on your way out the door is of little use to people struggling to put a roof over their head, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s spokesperson on housing, said: “We have known for some time that the Government’s Housing for All targets were not […]

The latest report from the Child Law Project paints a disturbing picture of how children in the care system are being failed by the State, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “The project’s latest analysis of child care proceedings makes for grim reading. It […]

The Social Democrats will bring a motion before the Dáil next week calling on the Government to finally act in response to Israel’s year-long genocidal campaign in Gaza. Party leader Holly Cairns said: “This Government has less than a week left in office and time is running out for Ireland to meaningfully act in the […]

The large turnout for a hoax Halloween parade on O’Connell Street last night shows there is a public appetite for such events in Dublin, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who represents Dublin Central, said: “While hundreds of people were left disappointed after turning up in the city centre in the expectation […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has urged the Government not to squander a valuable opportunity to pass the Occupied Territories Bill before the Dáil is dissolved ahead of a general election. “At the Business Committee today, the Social Democrats and Sinn Féin offered to give up a total of four hours of their Dáil time […]

The Social Democrats today launched their Digital and Online Safety policy. It was launched by Dublin Central TD Gary Gannon and Sinéad Gibney, the party’s general election candidate in Dublin Rathdown, who has considerable expertise in this area and had significant input into the drafting of the policy document. Among the measures proposed is the […]

The lack of a recruitment drive to fill primary care psychology posts in Cork has been described as truly shocking by Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “In response to a parliamentary question I submitted, it has been confirmed that Cork primary care services only advertised one psychology position this year – a replacement senior psychologist […]

Israel’s ban on UNRWA operating within its territory will exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank and must be met with the strongest possible response by the international community, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on foreign affairs, said: “Yet again, the Israeli government […]