News

Immoral to allow energy companies profit off the backs of consumers Exorbitant profits being generated by the Corrib gas field further underscore the urgent need for a windfall tax on energy companies, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Climate and Biodiversity, said: “It has emerged that […]

Public confidence in planning system must be restored Further questions surrounding the workings of An Bord Pleanála require urgent answers from the Office of the Planning Regulator, the chair of the board and the Minister for Housing, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, the party’s spokesperson on Housing, said: “It is lamentable […]

Students will understandably feel abandoned by the Government Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has called on the Minister for Education to end ongoing uncertainty over when this year’s Junior Certificate results will be issued. Deputy Gannon, the party’s Education spokesperson, said: “The thousands of students who sat exams in June are fully entitled to know […]

Community-based midwives’ views need to be taken on board by HSE  The Minister for Health must urgently intervene to ensure continued access to home birth services for women living in rural communities, according to Holly Cairns TD. Deputy Cairns, who represents Cork South-West, said: “A recommendation by the HSE to exclude large swathes of my […]

A rotten partnership between the Irish State and Roman Catholic Church perpetuated abuses and actively opposed any form of accountability and justice Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns has called on the Government to fully engage with survivors and campaigners ahead of the passing of legislation covering the excavation of the Tuam Mother and Baby Home […]

Capital spending on housing down 21 percent on this time last year Confirmation from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) that property prices have risen above their Celtic Tiger peak further highlights the scale of Ireland’s worsening housing crisis, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, the party’s spokesperson on Housing, said: “The national […]

We are at risk of becoming a nation of emigrants again due to cost of living and housing crises New research carried out on behalf of the National Youth Council of Ireland paints a bleak picture of how young people view life in this country today, according to Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, […]

Named individuals peddled mistruths, concealed information and engaged in behaviour that the report describes as “manifestly improper and wrong” The report of Mr Justice Brian Cregan is a devastating chronology of the Siteserv deal which reveals the integrity of the sales process was tainted from the very start, according to Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy. […]

The introduction of minimum rates of pay for Early Years workers is a welcome first step in improving employment conditions within the childcare sector, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, the party’s spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs, said: “I welcome confirmation from the Minister for Children that the first-ever Employment Regulation […]

It is truly despicable that survivors have found out, via the media, that this review has been scrapped Children’s Minister Roderick O’Gorman has again betrayed and failed survivors of mother and baby homes, according to Social Democrats Social Justice Spokesperson Holly Cairns. “In response to the considerable anger and distress caused by the manner in […]