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THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATS have held their first national conference at the Convention Centre in Dublin.
The event saw the party, which has been in existence since July 2015, establish its constitution and make certain key appointments.
About 400 people were in attendance at the event.
The party has two TDs, Catherine Murphy and Róisín Shortall. Stephen Donnelly stood down from the party in September. It ran 14 candidates in the last February’s election, but, despite a number of close-run races, failed to return more than the three TDs than it entered the election with.
Last night’s leaders’ speech was shared by party TDs Shortall and Murphy.
Shortall called for a “revolution of hope… of ambition” within Irish society. She said that last year’s marriage referendum had “proved that Irish people are fair”.
“The challenge now is to bring that same thirst for an equal Ireland; that same passion for social justice to all facets of public life in Ireland,” she said.
And we have to start by addressing poverty.
Murphy meanwhile asked the delegates present “to imagine something with me”.
“Let’s imagine how different Ireland could be 10 years from now,” she said.
An Ireland without the indignity of homelessness. An Ireland where homes are affordable, where tenure is secure and communities where people are proud to live.
Tonight, we are setting out our vision. We are setting out on a road to translate that vision into plans people can believe in, and people will join with, to help make happen.
Constitution and policy
The party took the opportunity last night to publicly unveil its constitution and to set out certain policy objectives.
Specific policy priorities announced include:
Meanwhile, a number of appointments were made to the party’s national executive, with “women claiming the top spots” as announced in its own press material.
Businesswoman and 2016 election candidate Glenna Lynch has been elected chair of the executive, with Limerick branch chairperson Sarah Jane Hennelly elected vice chair.
“I am delighted to become chair of the first national executive of the Social Democrats,” Lynch said in the aftermath of her election.
I became involved in politics because I simply don’t accept that we in Ireland are incapable of managing a society that allows every person on this island to meet their full potential. We are more than capable.
Ireland needs a contemporary party, rooted in today’s realities, driven by a strategic evidence-based approach. That’s the party we are starting to build.
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Great story, lovely to see people getting a permanent home, wishing them health and happiness in their new abodes.
Trust a politician to turn up for the foto
I love my brick. Foto, Foto…
There are 2 houses boarded up on my street in dublin 9. They have been foe over a year since the last families were evicted for drug dealing. There is another around the corner that was vacated and is now used as a changing room for the local soccer club. So there’s 3 3 bed homes not being used. What the fook are the council playing at.
It’s very positive… We could complain and moan, that someone one had to die outside the Dáil for things like this to happen but realise it’s A good news story on the back of a very tough year for the likes of poor John Corry.. Let’s hope they have a good Christmas and great credit The likes of Lord Mayor Christy Burke & all involved..
No Ray,these houses haven’t been planned, built and equipped since that poor man died near the Dail!
But I take your point. Never in the history of our decrepit little state have a government responded so quickly to a tragedyli,e that, but at least they are responding which can only be a good thing. It’s up to us, the public, to ensure that it’s not a just pre christmas, pre election stunt. We need to keep the pressure on to make sure the policy is continued and also spread nationwide. While the homeless crises in Dublin is desperate, and the govt response is making the headlines, other cities like Cork and Waterford have a similar problem which are not being tackled.
great news to hear, i wonder how long they were waiting? just 5 f****in houses though, hard work from Alone mind, they get little support only from what we give :/ and to think this government could provide 500 if they wanted but would rather pay others.
Its so good to know these few people are living in their own homes for Christmas, long may they enjoy and hopefully by next Christmas no one will be sleeping on the streets at least those who don’t want to. Happy Christmas to you.
I used to work with ALONE when i was a teenager, very long time ago, need to get finger out
and get back there , Merry Christmas to one and all, xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Once it is not a publicity stunt? What about homeless families too?
Isn’t it great that these people can now have a cup of tea by the fire in their own homes ! All the best to them
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