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The Dublin Social Democrats TDs, Róisín Shortall, Cian O’Callaghan and Gary Gannon, and Dublin Social Democrat Councillors, have called on people living in the capital to work together to drive down the virus, after the Government decision to move to Level 3 of the Covid Plan, based on NHPET advice. In a joint statement, they […]

Social Democrats TD for Cork South-West and party spokesperson for Agriculture, Holly Cairns, has expressed concern that the agreement reached today between Meat Industry Ireland and SIPTU on safety protocols for workers in meat plants does not include provision for sick pay. Holly said: “The aim of this agreement is to suppress Covid-19 infections in […]

Social Democrats TD for Cork South-West, Holly Cairns, has called on the Department of Community and Rural Development and the Islands to extend funding for rural areas and provide specific investment for villages. Speaking in the Dáil, Holly said: “The Town and Village Renewal Scheme, which has been tailored to address the challenges associated with […]

The Social Democrats’ three Dublin TDs have called on the Government to outline what specific financial supports will be provided for businesses and employees when additional restrictions come into force in the capital tonight. In a joint statement, Deputies Róisín Shortall, Gary Gannon and Cian O’Callaghan said: “The rising rates of infection in Dublin are […]

Jennifer Whitmore TD, Social Democrats spokesperson on Children, has backed calls for the Government to commission an expert report to examine the feasibility of a four-day working week. Deputy Whitmore made her comments after attending a public briefing event by the Four Day Week Ireland campaign this morning. She said: “The Social Democrats fully support […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, says the recent Ombudsman for Children report reinforces concerns over the negative impact that Covid-19 is having on children, particularly as they reintegrate into the school environment. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Children, said: “The Ombudsman for Children in Ireland published its annual report which […]

Social Democrats TD for Dublin Central, Gary Gannon, has insisted that representatives of the commercial live events sector be included on a special Government taskforce for the recovery of the arts and culture. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson for the Arts, said: “The thousands of workers in the live events sector will have […]

Catherine Murphy TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats and spokesperson on Transport, today called for immediate supports to be put in place to assist those working in the taxi and small public service vehicle sector. Deputy Murphy said: “It is vital that the Government takes immediate action to show that it is listening to the […]

The Government has reneged on four key commitments contained in last year’s Budget to improve access to healthcare, according to Róisín Shortall, co-leader of the Social Democrats. Deputy Shortall, who is the party’s spokesperson on Health, said: “Cost is a major barrier to accessing quality healthcare, whether it’s the cost of medicine or the cost […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow and spokesperson on Children, Equality and Integration, Jennifer Whitmore, has described Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Greece as “wholly inadequate”. Deputy Whitmore said: “Greece is seeking emergency humanitarian intervention from EU countries after a fire in the Moria refugee camp on the island of Lesvos […]

Responding to the publication of the Government’s plan for living with Covid-19, Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy TD called on the Government to publish a clear plan for businesses to prepare for transition between Levels. Deputy Murphy said: “At a time when we needed very clear political leadership and messaging we’ve got inconsistent approaches to […]

Responding to the Government’s announcement today on the new strategy for Covid-19, Róisín Shortall, TD and co-leader for the Social Democrats, commented: “The Government’s message today was confused and it’s confusing for the public. The new plan was supposed to provide clarity about the five different levels of risk, yet on the first day of […]

Paul Mulville, Social Democrats councillor for the Rush Lusk ward, has welcomed the decision by the National Transport Authority to amend the schedule for the new 33s school bus so that the Burrow, Portrane, will be serviced by the route. Cllr Mulville stated: “Parents with school-going kids in the Burrow had expressed their concerns to […]

Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Further and Higher Education, and Gary Gannon TD, the party’s Education spokesperson, have called for meaningful reform of the college entry system following this afternoon’s release of first round CAO offers. Holly said: “Today marks a critical milestone after a very difficult and uncertain period for this year’s […]