"While it would be impossible, and inadvisable, to spend all this money now, there is plenty of scope to use it in the shorter term on hugely important climate and infrastructure projects like upscaling wind energy, and building affordable housing."

- Social Democrats

"People on the highest incomes should contribute more. The Social Democrats would phase out tax credits for the highest earners, beginning with those who earn in excess of €108,000 pa. "

- Social Democrats

"The USC raises approx. €5 billion in tax revenue every year, which is critical for the provision of important public services. Those calling for its abolition should say where the €5 billion needed to replace it would come from."

- Social Democrats

"Less than 3% ever pay inheritance tax – it is only paid by a minority who inherit relatively large sums. There’s no good reason to tax inheritance, which is received by accident of birth, more favourably than productive activities like work. "

- Social Democrats

"We would not remove child benefit from families, which is an important universal payment. However, the Social Democrats have always called for energy credits to be more targeted at those who needed it most – low and middle income earners. "

- Social Democrats

"‘Help to buy’ is driving record house price increases and should be phased out, while investment in the provision of genuinely affordable housing is massively increased. The Social Democrats have a fully costed plan to provide 75,000 genuinely affordable homes."

- Social Democrats

"Planning guidelines currently already allow for people to build in an area to which they have a legitimate connection. We do not propose to change the rules."

- Social Democrats

"Rent Pressure Zone legislation is not working, with the rules routinely being flouted without consequence by some landlords. We need a temporary three-year freeze to provide relief to renters and allow supply to increase. "

- Social Democrats

"Property Tax is an important part of a broad tax base in all developed countries, and local authorities need it to provide important services and amenities. Property ownership is a manifestation of wealth, which is impossible to move offshore. "

- Social Democrats

"We need a strong modal shift in transport use to create a more sustainable society and to meet our climate targets. Directing infrastructure investment towards public transport is the most equitable way to help people move around."

- Social Democrats

"There is significant capacity in Shannon and Cork Airports that is going unused, while the infrastructure around Dublin Airport is not sufficient to allow for huge expansion. This is a great opportunity to encourage more balanced regional development. "

- Social Democrats

"Carbon taxes can be an important policy to encourage behavioural change, but government must provide accessible alternatives in transport and energy, otherwise such taxes just become penal for people who have no options. "

- Social Democrats

"Ireland’s waterways are in an appalling condition and agricultural pollution is the main reason. Government has been leading Irish farmers off a cliff by pretending the nitrates derogation can continue indefinitely. Farmers must be supported to farm more sustainably. "

- Social Democrats

"The herd must reduce in size to meet climate obligations. Pretending otherwise harms, not helps, farmers. We would use financial incentives to encourage voluntary herd reduction over time in line with environmental targets and the carrying capacity of the land. "

- Social Democrats

"Investment in energy infrastructure should focus on exploiting our reserves of wind and solar energy, not locking in fossil fuel-dependent technology long term. We must significantly ramp up renewable energy and become world leaders in clean energy and its storage. "

- Social Democrats

"An expert report into our abortion law, published 18 months ago, recommended a number of reforms. The Government sat on this report. We would implement its recommendations in full as a priority. "

- Social Democrats

"Democracy is more effective and more relevant when it is better representative of the diversity of the population it serves. Current low levels of representation of women (and of many minorities) are proof that more needs to be done."

- Social Democrats

"Hate speech laws are necessary so incitement to hatred, which has proliferated online, can be tackled. We can enact laws with strong safeguards for free speech in order to tackle extremist hate speech that results in minorities being targeted. "

- Social Democrats

"The Irish education system, with more than 90% of schools run by one religious denomination, does not reflect the diversity of modern Irish society. "

- Social Democrats

"It is important for children to have a comprehensive and fact-based education and learn about diversity and inclusion. "

- Social Democrats

"It is disgrace that, in a wealthy country like ours, any human being should have to live in the conditions we have seen many international protection applicants endure over the past year – denied even a place a pitch a tent."

- Social Democrats

"Communities should be resourced properly if international protection applicants are being housed in the area, but no one should have the right to veto who lives near them. "

- Social Democrats

"It makes sense to accommodate asylum seekers where there are good services and infrastructure, but no area should automatically be ruled in or out. No community should have an outright veto. Engagement with communities is a key precursor to integration."

- Social Democrats

"Businesses have been highlighting skills shortages in the Irish economy for years, there is no good reason to restrict people from coming to Ireland to work. Our health service, for example, would collapse without migrant workers. "

- Social Democrats

"While an increase in garda numbers - particularly around community policing - is needed, the root causes of much of crime could be reduced by measures that target poverty and disadvantage."

- Social Democrats

"We have seen a number of anti-immigrant protests that have turned violent, with people being injured and property being set alight or damaged. Violence and arson are not legitimate forms of protest and Gardaí should have a robust response. "

- Social Democrats

"It is clear that Russia is the aggressor in this war, and supporting Ukraine with non-lethal aid is the correct policy for Ireland."

- Social Democrats

"What we are witnessing in Gaza is a genocide. There must be sanctions at every level – domestically and internationally – in response. "

- Social Democrats

"The Triple Lock has served Irish neutrality well since its inception and it should not be removed. "

- Social Democrats

"A certain level of co-operation, for example in cyber-security, is appropriate and common sense. But, we do not agree with any attempt to co-ordinate defence spending or make the EU a defence union. "

- Social Democrats

"The Social Democrats aspire to a united Ireland, but an awful lot of planning remains to be done in advance. We would begin with a Citizens Assembly on Irish unity, to plan for what a united Ireland could look like."

- Social Democrats