News

Reports of a taskforce proposal to relocate RTÉ to the GPO on O’Connell Street prove that the Government is not serious about the rejuvenation of Dublin city centre, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is a TD for Dublin Central, said: “As soon as he became Taoiseach, Simon Harris vowed to […]

The Social Democrats have revealed ambitious plans for the delivery of tens of thousands of affordable homes over a five-year period. Details of the fully costed proposals are outlined in the party’s new policy document, ‘Homes Within Reach – Our Plan for Affordable Housing’, which was launched in Dublin today (Monday, October 14). The policy […]

The Agriculture Minister must act on cruelty inflicted on calves in the dairy sector, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, the party’s spokesperson on agriculture, was commenting on an RTÉ investigation into cruelty and mistreatment inflicted on calves in the dairy sector. “This Minister has been asleep at the wheel while gross […]

A new report highlighting the impact of poverty on a child’s performance in school is further proof that the Government got its priorities badly wrong in last week’s budget, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “The ‘Children’s School Lives’ study, which looked at 4,000 students […]

Disability services were shamefully neglected by the Government in Budget 2025, according to a breakdown of figures provided to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “Every year we go through the same farce of this Government announcing a high-level figure for investment in disability services. This […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has welcomed the Government’s belated decision to ratify the optional protocol of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and has called for the process to be completed without any further delay. “Ireland signed the UNCRPD as far back as 2007 and ratified it in 2018. But […]

The Taoiseach must use the opportunity of his White House meeting with President Joe Biden this week to express Ireland’s grave concerns about the threat to the safety of Irish peacekeepers in Southern Lebanon, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on defence and foreign affairs, said: “The […]

Homes and businesses impacted by flooding in Bantry at the weekend must be given immediate financial supports, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “Flooding at the weekend in Bantry was disastrous – but, regrettably, it was not surprising. In 2020, many of the same premises were devastated in serious flooding and, despite assurances that […]

An analysis of Budget 2025 by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) provides further evidence that the Government have prioritised electoral gain over lifting vulnerable groups out of poverty, according to Social Democrats finance spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “Despite the headline grabbing short-term measures announced on Tuesday, the ESRI has warned that poverty among the […]

Today’s revelations that private fee-paying schools will be allowed to apply for a slice of the €9 million budget allocation to purchase mobile phone pouches have added new levels of farce to the controversy, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on education, said: “Spending €9 million in […]