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The government must invest now if Ireland is to achieve its climate action targets and avoid crippling EU fines of anything between €8 billion and €26 billion, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s climate spokesperson, said: “The report from the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council and the Climate Change […]

The government must address the barriers that contribute to the underrepresentation of women in farming, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on agriculture, was speaking ahead of an event celebrating Irish Women in Farming, which will be jointly hosted tomorrow (Tuesday, March 4) by the European Commission […]

The outsourcing of car park facilities at public hospitals is just another example of the creeping privatisation of our health service, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s spokesperson on health, said: “We learned this weekend that the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) has cancelled a tender for […]

Increase in weapons offences, burglaries and kidnappings comes as no surprise when the Minister for Justice talks tough on crime without taking action, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, the party’s Justice spokesperson, said: “Today’s CSO report paints a picture of a policing strategy flailing aimlessly in the face of rising crime. […]

The government must immediately provide funding guarantees to local authorities to prevent avoidable hold-ups to the tenant in-situ scheme, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “The success of this scheme, which allows local authorities to purchase properties where existing tenants are facing eviction, is completely […]

Stating peacekeeping missions must be in line with the UN charter is a prerequisite so broad as to be meaningless Confirmation that the government intends to dismantle the triple lock is an attack on our neutrality, according to Social Democrats Foreign Affairs and Defence spokesperson Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney said: “The Tánaiste today confirmed that […]

The government must immediately develop a family homelessness strategy and reintroduce a no-fault eviction ban, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, was commenting on the latest homelessness figures, which were published this afternoon. “The figures show there were 15,286 people living in homeless emergency accommodation at […]

Government must urgently address the severe shortage of special school places across the country, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins, ahead of today’s protest. Deputy Cummins, the party’s’ spokesperson for Education, said: “I stand in solidarity with the parents and guardians participating in today’s 24-hour sleep-out protest outside the Department of Education.  “They aim […]

The government must agree a clear pathway to restoring pay parity for Section 39 workers in community and voluntary organisations, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s acting spokesperson on disability, said: “With up to 5,000 Section 39 workers expected to vote in favour of strike action, some of […]

The phenomenal interest in 46 apartments being offered at discounted rents to key workers in Dublin’s south city highlights the pent-up demand for genuinely affordable housing, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Since the scheme at Google’s Boland Mills Quarter was launched by Clúid Housing […]