News

During Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil today, Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, asked the Taoiseach to publish daily figures for vaccine doses received, doses available, and doses administered, so that the performance of the vaccine rollout can be measured against projections. She said: “Vaccines provide great hope to people, and the public […]

Calling on the Minister for Health to implement the Breastfeeding Action Plan, Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore said: “As my party’s spokesperson for Children, getting the necessary breastfeeding supports for women in this country is a key priority of mine. To achieve this, we need to see the full implementation of the National Maternity Strategy […]

Cllr Ronan Moore of the Social Democrats has called on fellow Meath councillors to support his upcoming motion to reject the Land Development Agency Bill being proposed by the Government. Cllr Moore has branded the Bill “a further erosion of local democracy” and the role of local representatives tasked with protecting public land, stating that […]

Commenting on the news that Bank of Ireland will start a programme of branch closures in September, Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD said: “The closures announced this morning represent more bad news for Irish banking. Bank branches are an important focal point in many communities. The closure of the branches will further sever the […]

– Party co-leaders Catherine Murphy TD and Róisín Shortall TD set out ambition to make their social democratic vision a reality at fourth annual conference Social Democrats co-leaders Catherine Murphy TD and Róisín Shortall TD today set out their vision for the party and Irish society, stating that their aim is to be the party […]

Speaking today at the Social Democrats’ online National Conference, Holly Cairns TD slammed the Government for its shameful treatment of survivors of Mother and Baby Homes. Following a conversation with guest speaker Dr Maeve O’Rourke, lecturer in Human Rights at the Irish Centre for Human Rights at NUI Galway, Holly said: “Maeve has done such […]

Speaking today at the Social Democrats’ online National Conference, Jennifer Whitmore, the party’s spokesperson on Climate Action and Biodiversity, said: “Climate change is the biggest societal challenge we face. It will impact on every aspect of our lives – in fact, it already has. “To date, we’ve seen climate change primarily as an environmental issue […]

Speaking at the Social Democrats’ online National Conference today, Housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan TD said: “According to the ESRI, Central Bank mortgage lending rules have kept house prices 9% lower than they otherwise would have been. While there are prudent reasons for restrictions on mortgage lending, these are being undermined by a flood of investment […]

Speaking at the Social Democrats’ online National Conference today, Housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan TD said: “The Minister for Housing must scrap his ill-thought-out proposals to introduce shared equity loans. These loans, which were lobbied for by developers, will lead to house price inflation. Senior officials in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the ESRI […]

Speaking today at the Social Democrats’ online National Conference, Gary Gannon TD said: “This weekend marks the first anniversary since the first case of Covid-19 was confirmed. Over the past 12 months, our daily news and our personal lives have become entirely dominated by the virus. “While all of us are looking forward to the […]

Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns says that the absence of updated guidance in the Government’s new Living with Covid plan on restrictions in maternity hospitals is causing ongoing distress to expectant parents. Holly said: “While it is welcome that some health services are to resume in March, including BreastCheck screening, it is very disappointing that the Government’s […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore says the Government needs to urgently respond to concerns raised by the Data Protection Commissioner today in relation to the imminent transfer of archives from the Mother and Baby Homes Commission to the Minister for Children. In a radio interview this morning, Data Protection Commissioner Helen Dixon said she had […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called for the Climate Action Bill to be introduced in the Dáil without delay. She made her comments after it was revealed that Ireland ranks in the lowest position out of 15 EU countries on environment, according to the latest Sustainable Progress Index (SPI) commissioned by Social Justice Ireland. […]

Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns has accused the Government of speaking out of both sides of its mouth on the issue of extending the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes. Holly said: “Earlier today, the Government committed to not blocking the Social Democrats’ motion to extend the Commission of Investigation. However, when challenged […]