Full coverage: Social Democrats

The fund collected €188m in 2024 in excess energy company profits, yet the pot remains largely unspent. Opposition groups, climate and energy experts, and activists told The Currency where the money should go in the here and now to tackle energy poverty and the climate crisis.

Political parties’ accounts outline different spending priorities and sources of funding in 2024.

As the thorny issue of government formation continues, Pat Rabbitte explains why he believes Labour should not enter government, and why a merger with the Social Democrats is inevitable. He also discusses his time in government, the changing nature of politics, and how he became politicised.

As voting day looms, Róisín Shortall talks taxation, dropping the spending cap, overhauling housing and halting a creeping privatisation of basic services in a Social Democrats government.

Mary Lou McDonald's speech at the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis will be another stepping stone as the party gets ready for power but who will be their junior partners in government if required?