Social Democrats

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

‘Always speaking for the underdog’: Opposition parties unite to back Connolly

‘Always speaking for the underdog’: Opposition parties unite to back Connolly

Tue, 23 Sep, 2025

The major opposition parties joined her on stage to endorse the left-wing presidential candidate from Galway.
Sinn Féin backs Catherine Connolly: 'Game-changer' or missed opportunity?

Sinn Féin backs Catherine Connolly: 'Game-changer' or missed opportunity?

Mon, 22 Sep, 2025

Here, we have a look at the topics likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come
Watch: Soc Dem leader Holly Cairns questioned over Eoin Hayes 'blackface'

Watch: Soc Dem leader Holly Cairns questioned over Eoin Hayes 'blackface'

Tue, 16 Sep, 2025

Eoin Hayes won’t be suspended or expelled from the Social Democrats
Hayes deserves chance to rebuild trust after ‘blackface’ apology, says Cairns

Hayes deserves chance to rebuild trust after ‘blackface’ apology, says Cairns

Tue, 16 Sep, 2025

Pictures of the Dublin Bay South TD wearing make-up as part of a Barack Obama costume at a fancy dress party 16 years ago were published on Tuesday.
Holly Cairns 'would love' if Sinn Féin supported Catherine Connolly as candidate of the Left

Holly Cairns 'would love' if Sinn Féin supported Catherine Connolly as candidate of the Left

Tue, 16 Sep, 2025

Speaking on RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland, Ms Cairns added that her party would be financially supporting Ms Connolly’s campaign and was now working out the exact nature of that support.
Blackface is a form of racism, says Cairns, after Hayes’ Obama impersonation

Blackface is a form of racism, says Cairns, after Hayes’ Obama impersonation

Tue, 16 Sep, 2025

Eoin Hayes has apologised for wearing the make-up on his face and hands during a Halloween party 16 years ago.
Hayes apologises for wearing ‘brown makeup’ in Obama impersonation

Hayes apologises for wearing ‘brown makeup’ in Obama impersonation

Mon, 15 Sep, 2025

A Social Democrat TD has apologised for wearing ‘brown makeup’ on his face while dressing up as Barack Obama for Halloween 16 years ago.
Taoiseach endorses Jim Gavin as Fianna Fáil’s presidential candidate

Taoiseach endorses Jim Gavin as Fianna Fáil’s presidential candidate

Sat, 30 Aug, 2025

The final decision on the nomination will be made by the party later.
Parties ‘disrespecting’ Constitution by delaying presidential choice – Connolly

Parties ‘disrespecting’ Constitution by delaying presidential choice – Connolly

Thu, 28 Aug, 2025

The independent TD for Galway visited Belfast.
No evidence of price gouging in supermarkets - watchdog

No evidence of price gouging in supermarkets - watchdog

Thu, 07 Aug, 2025

The consumer watchdog has said there is no evidence of price gouging in the grocery sector
Eoin Hayes readmitted to Social Democrats after eight-month suspension

Eoin Hayes readmitted to Social Democrats after eight-month suspension

Fri, 25 Jul, 2025

The party’s acting leader said he believed the TD should be given ‘a second chance’.
Legal action launched against Central Bank over Israel bonds investments

Legal action launched against Central Bank over Israel bonds investments

Thu, 24 Jul, 2025

The judicial review was formally issued on Thursday afternoon.
Harris brings up SuperValu mistake after Doherty's cost-of-living criticism

Harris brings up SuperValu mistake after Doherty's cost-of-living criticism

Fri, 18 Jul, 2025

There were tetchy scenes before the Dáil's summer recess as Tánaiste Simon Harris and Sinn Féin finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty clashed over cost-of-living supports
Poll shows steady support for Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil but drop for Sinn Féin

Poll shows steady support for Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil but drop for Sinn Féin

Thu, 17 Jul, 2025

The Irish Times Ipsos B&A opinion poll shows support for Fianna Fáil remains the same at 22 per cent, while support for Fine Gael is up by one to 17 per cent.
Mairead McGuinness confirmed as Fine Gael nominee for presidential race

Mairead McGuinness confirmed as Fine Gael nominee for presidential race

Tue, 15 Jul, 2025

Independent Galway TD Catherine Connolly is expected to announce her intention to run for the presidency on Wednesday.
Labour to ‘seriously’ consider backing former member Connolly for presidency

Labour to ‘seriously’ consider backing former member Connolly for presidency

Tue, 15 Jul, 2025

Independent Galway TD Catherine Connolly has already received the backing of the Social Democrats and People Before Profit.
Catherine Connolly to launch presidential bid next week

Catherine Connolly to launch presidential bid next week

Fri, 11 Jul, 2025

Independent TD Catherine Connolly has confirmed she will launch her presidential election bid next week
Politics watch: Coalition tensions over student fees?

Politics watch: Coalition tensions over student fees?

Wed, 09 Jul, 2025

Here, we have a look at the issues likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come
Senator calls for EU probe into lack of flight inspections at Shannon

Senator calls for EU probe into lack of flight inspections at Shannon

Tue, 17 Jun, 2025

A senator has asked an EU anti-fraud watchdog to investigate whether the State is failing to inspect ‘high-risk flights’ into Shannon Airport.
Poll: Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael tied, two point drop for Sinn Féin

Poll: Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael tied, two point drop for Sinn Féin

Sun, 01 Jun, 2025

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are neck and neck in the latest opinion poll
Government accused of ‘attack on low-paid workers’

Government accused of ‘attack on low-paid workers’

Wed, 30 Apr, 2025

Cian O’Callaghan’s comments come after it was reported that the Government is delaying the introduction of a living wage until 2029.
Politics watch: Asylum reform, new guardianship bill

Politics watch: Asylum reform, new guardianship bill

Tue, 29 Apr, 2025

The Dáil returns on Tuesday, April 29th, and there is plenty of business in a packed schedule
Social Democrats use suspended TD’s seat to get committee chair role

Social Democrats use suspended TD’s seat to get committee chair role

Wed, 09 Apr, 2025

The Social Democrats will be allocated two chairperson roles
Social Democrats want to include suspended TD for committee formation

Social Democrats want to include suspended TD for committee formation

Wed, 09 Apr, 2025

Social Democrats are seeking to include a TD suspended from the parliamentary party in the calculus of its numbers for forming Oireachtas committees.
Ireland must not repeat austerity mistakes after US tariffs, says opposition TDs say

Ireland must not repeat austerity mistakes after US tariffs, says opposition TDs say

Tue, 01 Apr, 2025

The effect of austerity on Ireland, imposed after the economy tanked in 2008, was raised as a concern ahead of the threat of US tariffs
TD calls for new flood forecasts to be made public

TD calls for new flood forecasts to be made public

Sat, 29 Mar, 2025

Met Éireann’s Flood Forecasting Centre has been operational since early last year. It was developed as of a government wide approach to flooding in line with international best practices. 
Dáil adjourned as Government pushes through controversial changes to speaking rights

Dáil adjourned as Government pushes through controversial changes to speaking rights

Tue, 25 Mar, 2025

Video footage shows Michael Lowry making a gesture towards the camera as the chants of ‘shame’ reverberate around the Dáil.
Disruption expected in Dáil over proposed rule changes

Disruption expected in Dáil over proposed rule changes

Tue, 25 Mar, 2025

The coalition is bringing forward significant modifications to the standing orders of the Dáil.
Taoiseach defends Dáil changes ahead of potential disruption

Taoiseach defends Dáil changes ahead of potential disruption

Tue, 25 Mar, 2025

The Taoiseach’s Questions slot in the Dáil was not ‘being used as well as the Opposition claims’, Micheál Martin said.
Opposition leaders seek urgent meeting with Taoiseach over Dáil row

Opposition leaders seek urgent meeting with Taoiseach over Dáil row

Sun, 23 Mar, 2025

Micheál Martin’s Government has been accused of attempting to ‘force through’ changes to Dail standing orders.
'An affront to Irish democracy': Messages to Taoiseach show public anger at speaking rights row

'An affront to Irish democracy': Messages to Taoiseach show public anger at speaking rights row

Sun, 23 Mar, 2025

Taoiseach Micheál Martin was told the Dáil speaking rights row was an "affront to Irish democracy" and asked "is this the start of a dictatorship?".
Social Democrats would back ‘fair’ stop and search powers to tackle violence

Social Democrats would back ‘fair’ stop and search powers to tackle violence

Tue, 25 Feb, 2025

Gary Gannon said he can understand why gardaí want more powers but said that safety mechanisms must be built into the legislation.
Politics watch: Taoiseach looks for housing solutions, Sinn Féin White House boycott

Politics watch: Taoiseach looks for housing solutions, Sinn Féin White House boycott

Sun, 23 Feb, 2025

Here, we have a look at the issues likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come
Opposition rejects ‘cynical’ Government proposal on Dáil speaking rights

Opposition rejects ‘cynical’ Government proposal on Dáil speaking rights

Thu, 20 Feb, 2025

The dispute led to the suspension of the house and a delay in Micheál Martin’s nomination as Taoiseach.
Former minister labels programme for government 'deeply underwhelming'

Former minister labels programme for government 'deeply underwhelming'

Sun, 16 Feb, 2025

The Regional Independents' influence is evident in the "deeply underwhelming" programme for government, according to a former Cabinet minister
Special Cabinet meeting on housing will consider ‘all different actions’

Special Cabinet meeting on housing will consider ‘all different actions’

Sun, 16 Feb, 2025

Mary Butler said that investors will have to help plug the gap in funding as government is under further pressure to ramp up the number of new builds.
Eoin Hayes’ suspension from Soc Dems extended after national executive review

Eoin Hayes’ suspension from Soc Dems extended after national executive review

Tue, 11 Feb, 2025

The party’s acting leader Cian O’Callaghan said the TD for Dublin Bay South could be welcomed back at a later stage.
Dáil row over speaking time finally resolved after Ceann Comhairle’s intervention

Dáil row over speaking time finally resolved after Ceann Comhairle’s intervention

Tue, 04 Feb, 2025

Verona Murphy decided that government-affiliated TDs cannot be considered as members of the opposition.
Dáil row: Parties meet after Ceann Comhairle’s intervention

Dáil row: Parties meet after Ceann Comhairle’s intervention

Tue, 04 Feb, 2025

The Dáil Reform Committee is meeting ahead of the return of the parliament on Wednesday.
Final Seanad seats filled after marathon counting process

Final Seanad seats filled after marathon counting process

Mon, 03 Feb, 2025

The last elected were independent candidate Eileen Flynn, Sinn Féin’s Nicole Ryan and Fianna Fáil’s Fiona O’Loughlin and Diarmuid Wilson.
Seanad election count continues in final vocational panel

Seanad election count continues in final vocational panel

Mon, 03 Feb, 2025

The final count is taking place in the administrative panel.
Sinn Féin Stormont minister Conor Murphy wins seat in Seanad

Sinn Féin Stormont minister Conor Murphy wins seat in Seanad

Mon, 03 Feb, 2025

The veteran republican took a seat on the industrial and commercial panel.
Garda candidates 'entitled to greater transparency', TD says

Garda candidates 'entitled to greater transparency', TD says

Sun, 02 Feb, 2025

A TD has called for "enhanced communication" between An Garda Síochána and candidates who are waiting over a year on their vetting after completing the application process

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