During Ireland’s EU Presidency, the focus on competitiveness and the Common Agricultural Policy as core concerns for negotiations on the EU Budget (aka the Multiyear Financial Framework) cannot distract from important considerations about public financing of research and industrial development.

There is a long way to go to achieve the end of partition and a United Ireland, but there remains great opportunities if we set out on the path with a positive vision of shared prosperity for those in both the 6 counties of the North and the 26 in the South.

So much is asked of parents and family members of adults with intellectual disabilities. Their love for their children and relatives means they give everything to ensure life is lived with dignity.

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.

The changes to the fee structure for Criminal Legal Aid is depriving people, including many from very vulnerable groups in our society, from access to justice.

🇪🇸 🇮🇪 As Spain take on Argentina in the World Cup Final, it’s worth reflecting on what the Irish government might learn from Spain’s left-wing policies - Spain is now much less reliant on gas then it was even just in 2022, during the last energy crisis. 👇

Time for the ‘pro-enterprise government’ to step up.

The Journal@thejournal.ie · 3w ago

Businesses and locals on Castle Street in Dublin city centre have said that barricades and garda patrols established for the EU presidency mean their street is effectively a "controlled security zone" for the rest of the year. jrnl.ie/7096586

False claims about energy security is no excuse to not invest in renewables, and certainly not an excuse to continue our reliance on fossil fuels over our domestic sources of energy, particularly in wind.

It’s incredibly disappointing to see so many businesses are now being affected by the ongoing failure of government Ministers to address the disruptions to businesses as a result of the EU Presidency arrangements at Dublin Castle.

Last week, Eoin Hayes visited Stormont for an all-island meeting with the Social Protection committee. And yes, we asked – The Stormont Special is some kind of rhubarb toffee concoction.

2,314 adults with intellectual disabilities are cared for by parents over the age of 70. These and many other families have been told that they have an indefinite responsibility to provide care to their family member. This state exploitation of familial love is cruel, and it's unacceptable.

In the Social Democrats we’ve been consistent over many years in calling for reform of the Child Benefit scheme and of the support offered by the Social Protection system to children at risk of poverty.

Every parent of an adult with an intellectual disability asks the same question - who will look after my child when I’m no longer here?

As Ireland takes on the EU Presidency, it’s important that Ireland uses the opportunity to give voice to the best values of the European Union and a core vision of global cooperation.

The job losses at Meta and their contractors are deeply troubling, and are also a sign of things to come, as the government has failed to put any plans in place to protect jobs and livelihoods from the growth of AI.

It is unacceptable that some of the most vulnerable people in our society cannot access the Additional Needs Payment to help them with rising costs which they cannot meet out of their regular income.

Older people have so much to contribute to our society and to our workplaces. Much of the discussion about retirement ages centres on the pension entitlements, which of course are hugely important.

It’s hard to understand how Dublin City Council can have no funds remaining for roads resurfacing in 2026 in parts of our city 🧵

It is deeply regrettable that the government has refused to engage on the issue of the forced closure of the Silk Road Cafe in the Chester Beatty Library. Small businesses should not need to go to the courts as a result of government policies.

1 in 10 older people now live in consistent poverty. Many older people living alone are struggling with heating and energy bills. We need targeted supports that reach those who need them most.

🚨 The Taoiseach has publicly called on Covalen to meet with the union. On 16th June, TD Eoin Hayes raised the issue of the 720 redundancies announced by Covalen directly with Taoiseach Micheál Martin in the Dáil.

The Silk Road Café in the Chester Beatty Library at Dublin Castle is allowed to reopen tomorrow after it secured an injunction preventing its closure before the end of its license agreement jrnl.ie/7072536

Silk Road Café allowed to reopen tomorrow after securing injunction preventing closure

The owner of the café, Abraham Phelan, has taken legal action against the business’s landlord the Chester Beatty.

jrnl.ie

The development in Poolbeg will be transformative, delivering thousands of badly needed homes while creating a vibrant new community in our city. But the levels of infrastructure in place need to be developed concurrently to handle the increasing population.

We’re looking for a Policy Officer who will help shape the party’s platform. If you love the sound of researching legislative changes and collaborating with members to create fairer policies for Ireland - we want to hear from you. www.socialdemocrats.ie/jobs/policy-...

The UEFA Nations League game between Ireland and Israel should not go ahead. The immense power that sport has for good should not be hijacked by brutal regimes who want to pretend that they are operating within international norms.

The Social Protection system should be there to protect people, to ensure that no one falls below a certain level of means, particularly during difficult life transitions and with particular care for vulnerable groups.  But disabled people are not being supported sufficiently.

An extensive suite of measures is needed to address the financial precarity of caring. Thousands of carers have been forced to cut back on heating and eating in order to provide for some of our most vulnerable people. The cost of care has become unmanageable. @eoinhayestd.bsky.social

Carers have been abandoned by the State as thousands go without - Social Democrats

An extensive suite of measures is needed to address the financial precarity of caring, according to Social Democrats social protection spokesperson Eoin Hayes. Deputy Hayes said: “Thousands of carers ...

socialdemocrats.ie

The conditions in Pearse House, Markievicz House, and other flats complexes in Dublin are unacceptable. Alternative financing proposals must be considered, such as making debt facilities available to Dublin City Council, so that as capacity improves, the funding is in place automatically.

Some big news today from party leader Holly Cairns 👇

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns TD expecting her second child - Social Democrats

Social Democrats party leader Holly Cairns has announced that she is expecting her second child. Deputy Cairns said: “I am so happy to announce that we are expecting our second child. Barry and I are ...

socialdemocrats.ie

I’ve written to Minister Patrick O’Donovan to engage with the Silk Road Café and all relevant stakeholders to find a solution to support this thriving independent business and its staff.