The Social Democrats, established on July 15, 2015, by Catherine Murphy, Róisín Shortall, and Stephen Donnelly, is a center-left social democratic party in Ireland. The party promotes the Nordic model and is pro-European, advocating for an inclusive, fair, and just Ireland where dignity, respect, and equality of outcome are paramount.
Under the leadership of Holly Cairns, the party seeks to offer transformative change through social democracy, emphasizing the importance of strong public services and economic systems that ensure societal well-being.
The Social Democrats aim to build a "republic of equals" that is rights-based and pluralistic with a clear separation between Church and State. They focus on providing high-quality public services in housing, healthcare, education, and other areas, which are universally accessible to promote equality and sustainability.
A strong and vibrant economy is seen as essential to a strong society. The party supports robust workers' rights and a stable, progressive tax base.
They stress the need for an economy that not only grows but also distributes its benefits fairly across all sections of society.
The Social Democrats propose transformative changes in the housing sector to address affordability and accessibility. They plan to build 22,000 social and affordable homes annually and implement measures like better security for renters and a ban on no-fault evictions.
The party was instrumental in creating the Sláintecare proposal, which aims for a health system that is accessible and free at the point of use. They advocate for a comprehensive implementation of this model to improve primary care services and increase hospital capacity.
Addressing Ireland's high cost of living is a priority. The Social Democrats plan to make public services more affordable and tackle the high costs of essentials like housing, healthcare, and education, reducing the financial burden on families and businesses.
The Social Democrats recognize the urgency of climate action and propose a €5 billion climate transformation fund to invest in renewable energy and a €1.5 billion fair transition fund for farmers and rural communities. They emphasize the need for ambitious, large-scale structural changes to avert a climate catastrophe.
The party pledges to sign the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and focus on comprehensive reforms to improve the quality of life and independence of disabled people.
To combat corruption and ensure accountability, the Social Democrats propose the creation of an Independent Anti-Corruption Agency (IACA). They seek to increase transparency and integrity in politics and public administration, moving away from 'golden circle' politics.
The Social Democrats are committed to changing the landscape of Irish politics through active engagement in the Dáil and local governments. They aim to challenge the status quo with new ideas and genuine change, distancing themselves from the traditional politics of old loyalties and policies.