The Government made a lot of promises in the general election of 2024; promises of investment in childcare, healthcare, education, the list goes on. Instead of giving people minuscule tax breaks, we should be seeing more investment in public infrastructure while we have the surplus.

If education in Ireland is truly free then why are parents fundraising for loo roll or to fix wonky building defects? The Government must take the strain away from parents to fundraise for the most basic necessities. All school buildings must be fit for purpose and fully functioning.

From a lack of domestic violence refuge spaces, to prison overcrowding, to a real need for violence reduction nationwide, there are so many issues in our justice system that need solutions. But those solutions require thinking big. And @garygannontd.bsky.social is just the man to do it.

Week after week, we get the same responses from govt in the Dáil. "We've turned a corner on housing" "You can't build houses overnight" But their solutions just don't work We're ready to be constructive in opposition, and work with govt on better solutions to this generational crisis. Are they?

More than 10,000 excess deaths were recorded across Europe in recent heatwaves. Wildfires are raging across the continent, and here at home. Climate change is here. The govt cannot afford to ignore or roll back from their climate commitments, especially during Ireland's term in the EU Presidency.

The outrageous proposal to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors must be resisted. Gianni Infantino's position as FIFA president is now untenable. The sport we love must not be tarnished by grubby little deals made by those in positions of power and influence.

World Cup must not be tainted by FIFA president’s grubby deals - Social Democrats

Mounting opposition to FIFA’s controversial plans to sell-off a stake in the World Cup to private investors will send out a powerful message that international football is not for sale, according to S...

socialdemocrats.ie

A grim new record was set today for child homelessness in Ireland. The Government is stealing childhoods by failing to tackle this crisis. An emergency three-year no-fault eviction ban must be immediately introduced. @roryhearne.bsky.social

Government is stealing childhoods by failing to tackle the homelessness crisis - Social Democrats

The Government is stealing childhoods by failing to tackle the homelessness crisis, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “The latest homelessness figures...

socialdemocrats.ie

Dublin's north inner city is already starved of sporting facilities. So the decision by An Comisiún Pleanála to refuse permission for a development on the site of one of the area's only football pitches is welcome. This positive outcome was achieved by the local community standing together.

Ennis pays tribute to local campaigners as north inner city pitch saved - Social Democrats

Social Democrats TD for Dublin Central Daniel Ennis has warmly welcomed the decision by An Comisiún Pleanála to refuse permission for a proposed housing development in the north inner city, which woul...

socialdemocrats.ie

From gutting neutrality, to watering down the OTB, FF and FG are undermining Ireland's international reputation. But what would the SocDems do differently? Well, we wouldn't just talk the talk - we'd walk the walk. We are peacekeepers, peacemakers and peace builders – it's important we remain so.

On VMTV last night, Minister Robert Troy suggested that Irish consular officials have attended the German trial of Dubliner Daniel Tatlow-Devally. If true, this is a welcome development. But Foreign Affairs Minister must now clarify if this is actually the case. @patriciastephenson.bsky.social

Minister must clarify if Irish consular officials have attended German trial of Dublin activist - Social Democrats

Social Democrats senator Patricia Stephenson has called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs to clarify if Irish consular officials have attended the German trial of Dublin activist Daniel Tatlow-Deval...

socialdemocrats.ie

Statement from Rory Hearne TD on the death of Glen Hansard. @roryhearne.bsky.social

Statement from Rory Hearne TD on the death of Glen Hansard - Social Democrats

Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne has paid tribute to Glen Hansard following the musician’s tragic death this morning. Deputy Hearne, who is a TD for Dublin North-West and the party’s housing spokespers...

socialdemocrats.ie

The state seems to have lost sight of what inclusive education actually means. It's not as simple as providing a place for a child with additional needs to attend school. It's about integrating them into the school community, so that they can socialise, make friends, and participate.

The Taoiseach thinks it was petty to raise this in the Dáil. But the fact of the matter is Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez has shown what it means to have a fearless leader at the helm. The Irish people deserve better from their political leaders and Spain has shown the world it’s possible.

Increasing numbers of Gazan students hoping to start college in Ireland in September are being refused study visas this year. Govt likes to insist it is standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people. Yet its actions say otherwise. @patriciastephenson.bsky.social @jencummins.bsky.social

Government departments must work together to remove visa barriers facing Gazan students - Social Democrats

The Social Democrats have urged the Department of Further and Higher Education and the Department of Justice to work together to remove barriers facing more than 20 Gazan students who have been refuse...

socialdemocrats.ie

The Govt's new rules on planning exemptions for modular homes in back gardens come into effect today. These deeply flawed regulations are a recipe for exploitation, runaway rent increases, substandard accommodation and insecure tenancies. @roryhearne.bsky.social

Renters face exploitation and insecurity as Government’s flawed beds in sheds rules come into effect - Social Democrats

New rules exempting modular homes in back gardens from planning permission, which came into effect today, risk leaving thousands of vulnerable renters open to exploitation and insecure tenancy arrange...

socialdemocrats.ie

Ireland has become far too comfortable with empty apologies. This month's apology to the survivors of Bill Kenneally's abuse was hard won, and it came about thanks to brave survivors who fought for their stories to be heard. But accountability doesn't end with an apology. It starts there.

Dept of Education should issue a formal apology to every survivor of historical abuse in schools. State acknowledgement and accountability remain absent for too many survivors who have carried the burden of abuse for decades. @jencummins.bsky.social

Department of Education should formally apologise to all abuse survivors - Social Democrats

The Department of Education should issue a formal apology to every survivor of historical abuse in schools, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s education s...

socialdemocrats.ie

Previous govts had begun to prioritise available and affordable public transport. But this FF/FG coalition have become obsessed with road building. We need to think big about public transport infrastructure, says our transport spokesperson Aidan Farrelly – and not just in urban areas.

Up to 55% of Ireland's electricity could be used to fuel data centres in the near future. Meanwhile, many Irish households are falling behind on their electricity bills, and costs are continuing to rise. Govt cannot expect people to accept the needs of data centres being prioritised over theirs.

We cannot lecture other nations on human rights when, in Germany, an Irish person is one of five Europeans detained in draconian circumstances while enduring a show-trial. The Dept of Foreign Affairs must appoint observers to the Ulm 5 trial, to ensure their human rights are being upheld.

As opposition, our job is to question govt policy. But people often ask us what we would do differently. For our education spokesperson @jencummins.bsky.social it starts with ensuring that no child is an outsider at school. And something else about homework... but we can't make promises on that.

Fewer than 5% of people who have experienced sexual assault report it to the Gardaí. It's clear that survivors don't trust the justice system – how could they when it allows for their counselling notes to be used against them in court? The Minister for Justice must act to ban this practice.

Bessborough survivors have been told over and over that the status of the site is "complicated." There's nothing complicated about human rights abuses. The process of healing must begin for survivors, both from the state acknowledging their trauma, and from govt intervening, and CPOing the site.

There’s so much we don’t know about the grounds of Bessborough. We welcome the news from the Taoiseach on Friday that Cork City Council will engage with the landowners on the site. Cork City Council must be funded to CPO the site.

With a 50% rise in the last year of children presenting with brain injuries after e-scooter accidents, it's clear we need to regulate these vehicles. But how? We've got four easy solutions that govt can take on board immediately to bring a halt to the increase in these kinds of injuries.

Ireland is one of the very few countries who's exports to Russia have increased since they invaded Ukraine. Our alumina is fuelling Putin's war machine. The Tánaiste must give a straight answer as to whether alternative markets for alumina can be found and how jobs at the plant will be protected.

A ban on the sale of disposable barbecues needs to be put in place during periods of active hot weather alerts. There is far too much at stake – our natural environment, our wildlife, and the safety of our firefighters and local communities – to rely on self-regulation.

Whitmore calls for complete ban on disposable barbecues during hot weather alerts - Social Democrats

A Government recommendation to suspend the sale of disposal barbecues for the duration of a Status Orange wildfire warning does not go far enough, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. D...

socialdemocrats.ie

The number of children treated for brain injuries from e-scooter accidents has increased by 50%. We need a new approach to tackle this, with measures like mandatory registration, Garda training, or an amnesty scheme. The Tánaiste says he wants to work constructively on this: let's make it happen.

Govt has continued to ignore the potential of solar power to mitigate against ever-rising energy prices, failing to roll out a plug-in solar scheme before summer recess. When it comes to climate action and reducing people’s bills, the Government is incapable of picking even the low-hanging fruit.

Government drags its heels on reducing household energy bills as plug-in solar continues to stall - Social Democrats

The Government has continued to ignore the untapped potential of solar power to mitigate against ever-rising fuel and energy prices, failing to roll out a plug-in solar scheme before summer recess, ac...

socialdemocrats.ie

This summer, water conservation is important. But hosepipe bans can be frustrating, especially when there is so little governance around water usage by data centres. Yet, when it comes to data centres, the Taoiseach is just sticking his head in the sand.