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Meet Rory

I’m Rory Hearne, the Social Democrats TD for Dublin North-West.

I have been elected to replace Róisín Shortall TD, as your Social Democrats candidate for Dublin North-West.

My wife and I have lived on Dublin’s Northside for over 20 years. I’m a father of four children and I believe in an Ireland where every child can realise their full potential, where all children have a home, and a fair and sustainable future.

I have been a strong campaigner on the housing crisis in recent years, speaking up for the Locked-Out Generation. I’m an Associate Professor at Maynooth University with wide expertise in housing, homelessness, and social policy, and have written extensively on solutions to Ireland’s housing crisis.

I share Róisín’s vision for a society and economy that works for all. As a country, we have never had greater wealth and yet social crises worsen, from housing and homelessness to the cost of living, and inequality.

I am committed to working on behalf of the people of Dublin North-West to create a better, fairer Ireland. We need new solutions and new politics. The Social Democrats have the policies, people, and passion required to have a positive lasting impact on our community and country.

Rory’s Priorities

  • Housing – Solving the housing crisis for Generation Locked-Out and ending homelessness.
  • Public Services – Guaranteeing public services that work for everyone (healthcare, mental health, education, childcare, disability services, transport, community facilities).
  • Climate – Ensuring a sustainable future for all of our children through real climate action and investment in a socially just transition.
  • A Fair Transition – Ensure everyone benefits from the shift to a zero-carbon economy.
  • Peace and Justice – Advocate for peace and an end to the genocide in Gaza.

Latest News

Ballymun gun incident involving child must be wake up call for Government

Chronic underfunding of policing and safety initiatives in Ballymun has exposed children to the horrors of the drug trade, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who represents the Ballymun area, said: “Yesterday’s incident in Ballymun happened as a result of safety and drug-related intimidation being left unchallenged in the community by successive […]

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Government puts AirBnB ahead of renters as short term let regulations face delays

The Government is putting AirBnB ahead of renters as short term rental legislation is delayed, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne and Galway West byelection candidate Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich. Deputy Hearne said: “It’s been a year since Enterprise Minister Peter Burke secured Cabinet approval to publish the General Scheme of the new Short […]

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Record homelessness as Government allows highest number of evictions since the Famine

It has never been clearer that Government housing policies are the leading contributor to evictions and homelessness, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “Today’s figures show there were a record 17,517 people living in homeless emergency accommodation at the end of March. Shockingly, 5,571 of them are children, another devastating […]

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