Social Democrats

The worsening overcrowding crisis in prisons highlights the need for reform of a failing justice system. This year, we’ve seen the national prison population rise to over 5,528, with nearly 460 people now sleeping on cell floors. @GaryGannonTD socialdemocrats.ie/urgent-reform-…

This week, the UK govt announced that by the next general election, 16 and 17 year olds will be allowed to vote. So what's stopping us from doing that in Ireland? Young people's views matter – they should have the right to vote.

The Foreign Affairs Committee will recommend including services in the Occupied Territories Bill. A significant step forward. Legal experts confirmed Ireland can act. This sets a strong precedent. It’s a win for campaigners and protestors. Now, it must pass without delay.

This week's summer economic statement was based on a very optimistic scenario, as if there would be no major fallout from Donald Trump's tariffs While we don't know the extent of these tariffs, forecasting for the budget without any recognition of them is pure fantasy economics

Another month, another failure from this govt. The latest homelessness figures have reached another grim record – 15,915 people are now accessing emergency accommodation, including 4,958 children. There is an absolute lack of the political will to solve this disaster in govt.

Today’s record homeless numbers are another shameful milestone and an indictment of this government. There were 15,915 people living in homeless emergency accommodation at the end of July. Shockingly, 4,958 of them are children. @RoryHearneGaffs socialdemocrats.ie/unending-recor…

Bonds facilitated by the Central Bank are marketed to fund Israel’s genocidal campaign. Investors aren't warned of the legal and criminal risks of complicity in war crimes. This isn’t about politics. @GaryGannonTD socialdemocrats.ie/gary-gannon-td…

Today, @GaryGannonTD submitted his case against the Central Bank, which aims to end the facilitation of the sale of Israeli war bonds. The sale of these bonds goes against EU and international law. We need to ensure that "never again" means never again.

Yet again, in Ireland women have to talk about the most private things in public. We must stop forcing women to travel abroad or suffer in silence and treat endometriosis with proper healthcare here in Ireland. We are neglecting women all the time and this is another example.

EuroPride presents an opportunity to show solidarity with LGBTQI+ communities across the continent and establish Ireland as a staunch supporter of progress. Wild Atlantic EuroPride would provide a huge boost for the Mid-West across all sectors. socialdemocrats.ie/government-mus…

Coming up on @morningireland, @OCallaghanCian is joining the show.

Coming up on @drivetimerte, @RoryHearneGaffs will be joining the show. Tune in from 6.20pm 📻

The €160 billion sitting in Irish deposit accounts earning little interest could be harnessed to build affordable housing. But the govt lack the imagination to do so. Instead, they continue to rely on institutional investors – and fail to meet their targets again and again.

Throwing billions of euros around without a radical reset in policy will result in the same shortcomings successive govts have been defined by. While more funding is required, the main reason we find ourselves in this mess is policy. @RoryHearneGaffs socialdemocrats.ie/national-devel…

The Govt’s 10-year development plan comprises just 49 pages which seek to bamboozle with the budget to disguise the paucity of both commitments and detail “This is no way to run a country” @OCallaghanCian socialdemocrats.ie/national-devel…

Families want: a home they can afford, a health system that works, and proper support for their children. Ireland is a wealthy country. Yet vital public services are crumbling while government after government promises more. After record income, where has the money gone?

It is with a sense of great pride that we marked our first decade as a party this week. #SocDemsAt10

Ireland banned trade with occupied Crimea in 2014—companies adapted.. Settlements are not covered by EU-Israel trade deals. There’s a legal duty to distinguish. To comply fully with ICJ rulings, Ireland must end trade in both goods and services with occupied territories.

There's no excuse for the decay & deterioration many social housing estates are suffering from across the country. Structural defects, mould, damp and a lack of basic maintenance is causing serious health and safety issues for tenants. @RoryHearneGaffs socialdemocrats.ie/local-authorit…

The government must adhere to the O’Keefe judgement and establish a redress scheme for the survivors of historical abuse in schools. It is vital that the work of the commission of investigation proceeds without undue delay - with redress. @JenCumminsTD socialdemocrats.ie/government-mus…