Duncan Smith TD

Real Solutions, Real Labour

About Me

Why I got involved in politics:

I got involved in politics because it became increasingly clear to me that we have systemic inequality in this country that needs to be tackled. There are too many people in insecure work and insecure housing with insecure futures. This is intolerable.

The financial crash in 2008 was a defining moment for me and my generation. The rug was pulled out from under an entire generation. Jobs were lost, homes were lost, some people emigrated never to come home. Such an occurrence should never happen again, and we must strive to build an Ireland that is secure for all.

I joined the Labour Party then as I believe that Labour has fought and won for working class people in Ireland for decades. I am a committed trade unionist and as a Democratic Socialist I believe in the labour movement and the power of workers’ collectivism and the ability of the movement to achieve better conditions for workers in Ireland.

My work in the Dáil:

During the previous Dáil I represented the Labour Party on numerous committee’s including the COVID-19 Response Committee and the Transport & Communications Committee and together with my colleagues in the Parliamentary Labour Party we have seen a number of bills passed in the Dáil focusing on workers rights, autism services, remote working, and sick pay.

Now in the current Dáil I sit on both the foreign affairs and defence committees and I am spokesperson for the Labour Party on both. In addition to this I continue to fight for local improvements for Dublin Fingal East on vital issues such as transport, health and housing among many others. My advice clinics across the constiuency also continue weekly.

My Priorities for Dublin Fingal East

Improved Public Transport

With a rapidly growing population, improved transport infrastructure is vital. I am fighting to ensure the delivery of Metrolink, the expansion of the Northern Commuter Line and the delivery of BusConnects.

Greater Access to Healthcare

The lack of primary care centres continues to increase the strain on Beaumont Hospital. I am working to ensure more primary care for our constituency coupled with increased funding for Beaumont.

Cheaper Childcare

Simply put, childcare is too expensive. The government has reneged on a better childcare deal for families and I am working at a local and national level to get prices down for families who are already under pressure with the cost of living.

Affordable Housing

House prices are out of control in Fingal. People are losing hope. I continue to advocate for the State to take a greater role in the housing crisis, but in the meantime, I'm engaging with government to raise the cap on housing schemes so that more people wanting to live in Fingal can access them.

Recent Work

Occupied Territories Bill

As a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I fought and won to recommend both goods and services in the final bill.

Aircraft Noise Regulation Bill

Government recently defeated my bill to move regulation of aircraft noise to the EPA. I will continue to work with those impacted.

Swords Primary Care Centre

After years of fighting, I got confirmation that the HSE has acquired a building for a Primary Care Centre for Swords. I will continue to push for its' delivery.

Public Transport Meetings

Over the last number of weeks I have been meeting with key public transport stakeholders to highlight the needs of Dublin Fingal East.