News

The problems in An Bord Pleanála extend much further than allegations concerning just one board member A new report into further planning issues at An Bord Pleanála must be published in full and identify those involved in breaches of procedure, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan was commenting after the Irish […]

The Government’s cowardly actions will not be forgiven and will serve as a shameful legacy of its term in office The Government’s decision not to oppose the Social Democrats’ private members’ motion on mother and baby homes today has been described by Holly Cairns TD as cynical and cowardly. Deputy Cairns, who introduced the motion […]

Lack of leadership responsible for decline of Dublin city  Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has called for statements to be made in the Dáil following the RTÉ Prime Time special on Dublin’s O’Connell Street last night. Deputy Gannon, who represents Dublin Central, said: “The deeply unflattering depiction of our capital’s main thoroughfare in the report […]

Government redress scheme fails to recognise human rights abuses The Social Democrats will bring a private members’ motion before the Dáil tomorrow (Wednesday, October 19), calling for real justice for the survivors of mother and baby homes and a redress scheme that is fit for purpose. The motion asks Dáil Eireann to recognise the grave […]

This unprecedented delay has caused a lot of worry and upset among students an their families Education Minister Norma Foley owes an apology to Junior Cert student for the unprecedented delay in releasing the Junior Cert results, according to Social Democrats Education Spokesperson Gary Gannon. “This morning, the State Examinations Commission announced that Junior Cert […]

Scarring effects of living in persistent poverty as a child can be lifelong The Government must immediately outline how it intends to end the scandal of child poverty in Ireland, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs, made her comments to mark the […]

We need answers about how much this mess is likely to cost taxpayers  The chaos engulfing An Bord Pleanála is costing the State dearly as fees for delays and legal challenges soar, according to Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy. “Today, the Irish Independent reported An Bord Pleanála (ABP) has paid out more than €1 million […]

HSE figures show that the number of dentists participating in the scheme has dropped by over a third in five years The exodus of dentists from the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) requires an immediate intervention from the Minister for Health, according to Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD. HSE figures obtained by Deputy Shortall […]

There appears to be chaos in Minister O’Gorman’s Department The Children’s Minister must explain why 135 Ukrainian refugees were put through the anxiety and stress of being told their lives were being uprooted – only for the decision to be reversed at the last moment, according to Social Democrats Children’s Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “A group […]

Delay calls into question the very relevance of Junior Cert exams Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has expressed disappointment after the Minister for Education was unable to confirm a date for the Junior Certificate results. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s Education spokesperson, made his comments after raising the issue with Minister Norma Foley in […]