News

The Social Democrats are a new force for change in Irish politics. We want to restore the public interest to its rightful place at the heart of politics and national life. We are committed to high quality public services for all, and a strong and sustainable economy that works to ensure a fair and equal […]

Social Democrats spokesperson on Energy and Climate Change Councillor Cian O’Callaghan has said proposed reductions in the Public Service Obligation Levy (PSO), made today by the Energy Regulator, should be passed onto customers. Under the proposed new rate for 2018/2019 the PSO on electricity bills would reduce by 45% and would mean decreases of about […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has said the Minister for Health needs to show political courage and urgency in implementing the Sláintecare health reform plan which was published a year ago today [30th May 2018]. Deputy Shortall chaired the cross-party Oireachtas Committee on the Future of Healthcare which produced the fully-costed ten-year Sláintecare blueprint for […]

Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy TD has said there is an urgent need for an agreed definition of what constitutes homelessness so that the current confusion and spin over the March homelessness figures is brought to an end. Deputy Murphy said: “It is a total insult to families living in different types of temporary and […]

The Social Democrats today publish reform proposals to make lobbying activities more open and government decisions more accountable. The initiative is in direct response to the recent controversy over highly inappropriate contacts between Communications Minister Denis Naughten and a professional lobbyist for Independent News and Media in relation to the company’s proposed takeover of Celtic […]

The Social Democrats have said the government must restore capitation rates for primary schools in this year’s Budget to ease the unsustainable burden on parents of subsidising the State’s ‘free education’. The party’s co-leader Róisín Shortall TD made the call following reports today of analysis by Grant Thornton which shows that parents are forking out […]

Social Democrats Political Director Anne-Marie McNally has said that today’s Youth Work Ireland report showing that youngsters increasingly turn to the internet rather than parents or teachers shows how important it is for us to radically overhaul how we, as a society, talk about sex. Ms McNally said: “Yet again we are faced with stark […]

Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy has today written to the Data Protection Commissioner on foot of a parliamentary reply she received from the Department of Finance as to the circumstances surrounding the circulation of internal IBRC documents by a former IBRC executive. Deputy Murphy had asked the Minister for Finance if he had engaged with […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has called on Transport Infrastructure Ireland to make a commitment to engage with public representatives and Na Fianna personnel to find alternatives to the use of the Glasnevin club’s GAA pitches for the new MetroLink route. The Dublin North West TD said: “The planned use of Na Fianna’s grounds […]

Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has branded as ‘disgraceful’ a response from the Minister of State with responsibility for Disability issues, Finian McGrath where he admits he has no plan or timeframe for the enactment of a key component of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Deputy Shortall […]