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The Government’s Green Paper on disability payment reforms would, in practice, further marginalise disabled people and should be scrapped, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “Although couched in language of care, this proposal from the Minister for Social Protection would demonise people with disabilities […]

The Dáil will tomorrow debate a bill from Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan which aims to put a stop to mass evictions. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “My Tenancy Protection Bill 2023 is about protecting people from mass evictions. Nobody who pays their rent on time should live in constant fear […]

Today’s motion on immigration by the Rural Independent Group has been branded a disgrace by Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “The Rural Independents should be ashamed of themselves for bringing this despicable motion before the Dáil, which is nothing more than a series of dog whistles. “In doing so, they are pandering to the far-right, […]

Environment Minister Eamon Ryan has accepted an offer from Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore to pair for tomorrow’s no confidence Dáil vote, meaning he will now not have to return home from COP28 in Dubai. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, said: “I am deeply concerned at some of the […]

Cutting the grant for residential solar panels from January will completely undermine the Government’s Climate Action Plan, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, said: “This week, the Taoiseach is attending COP28 in Dubai where he has talked about Ireland’s need to reduce greenhouse […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has described the first day agreement on a loss and damage fund at COP28 as a positive start but warned that the climate summit would ultimately be judged on commitments secured to phase out the use of fossil fuels. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, […]

Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan has said it is concerning that a report from the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) shows rents in existing tenancies rising well beyond the 2 per cent legal limit. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Rent Pressure Zone regulations are supposed to cap rent increases at 2 per […]

Ireland must follow the example set by Australia by issuing an official State apology to Thalidomide survivors, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “The national apology given by Australia’s Prime Minister this week is a welcome recognition of the decades of suffering experienced by […]

The new €3.1 billion Climate and Nature Fund must not be allowed to facilitate fossil fuel related investments that are at odds with Government policy to reduce Ireland’s greenhouse emissions, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, said: “The 2018 Irish Fossil Fuel Divestment […]

Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has expressed his solidarity with the thousands of workers who gathered on O’Connell Street today to denounce the scenes of violent disorder witnessed during last week’s city centre riots. Deputy Gannon, who represents Dublin Central, said: “Those who participated in today’s peaceful demonstration at the GPO encapsulate the true spirit […]