News

Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has expressed surprise that there are no measures contained in the Government’s announcement on Phase 4 to address the fact that 90% of people travelling into Ireland are from non-green list countries. Deputy Shortall said: “This worrying figure will almost certainly rise now that five countries have […]

Róisín Shortall, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has paid tribute to John Hume, who passed away earlier today. Deputy Shortall said: “John Hume’s contribution to peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland will be his enduring legacy. He will be remembered as a humanitarian, civil rights champion, risk taker and key architect of the […]

Figures for passenger numbers coming into Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports by country of origin released to Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy TD show the scale of the problem which the Government has ignored for too long. Catherine Murphy said: “The numbers of people coming in from countries that are not on green lists in […]

Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson and Dublin Bay North TD, Cian O’Callaghan, has expressed concern at the latest homelessness figures. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “The latest figures show that 8,699 people are homeless. Despite an increase in the availability of properties due to Covid-19 and the emergency ban on evictions, the overall homeless numbers have fallen by […]

Róisín Shortall TD, Social Democrats spokesperson on Health, has called on the Government to immediately act on the recommendations contained in the Interim Report on Covid-19 in Nursing Homes, which was published today. Deputy Shortall said: “This report highlights the glaring gaps in the system which led to so many deaths of people in our […]

Reacting to today’s Supreme Court decision to quash the Government’s 2017 National Mitigation Plan, Jennifer Whitmore TD, Social Democrats spokesperson on Climate, said: “This decision should serve as a wake-up call for the Government. We need to act decisively and urgently to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and this means frontloading measures that will see […]

Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, said today that concerns expressed by the Data Protection Commission about social welfare checks at ports and airports will require a full and detailed response from the Taoiseach. Deputy Shortall said: “In the Dáil this week, I challenged the Taoiseach to state the specific legal basis under […]

Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson, Cian O’Callaghan TD, will tell the Dáil today that frontline workers deserve the same protections as other tenants. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “I’ve tabled an amendment to the Government’s Residential Tenancies and Valuation Bill 2020 that, if passed, will ensure that all tenants, including frontline workers, receive the same level of protection. […]

Social Democrats TD for Cork South West, Holly Cairns, says that supports for the tourism and hospitality sectors in the July stimulus package fall far short of what is required. Holly said: “I believe there is a need for further practical supports and increased grants for the tourism sector in the July stimulus. Clearly there […]

Jennifer Whitmore, Social Democrats spokesperson for Children, says it will be critical that sufficient mental health supports are made available as schools reopen in the coming weeks. Deputy Whitmore said: “There will be a lot of anxiety amongst children as they transition back into school life after being home for six months. During this period, […]

Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson and T.D. for Dublin Bay North, Cian O’Callaghan is calling on Minister O’Brien, Minister Donnelly & Minister Feighan to reverse cuts to homeless mental health services. Deputy O’Callaghan said: ‘When it comes to services and supports for those that are homeless, actions speak louder than words. Today Minister O’Brien, Minister Donnelly & Minister […]

Lack of maternity leave continues to be a glaringly obvious barrier to women entering politics, according to Social Democrats TD for Cork South West, Holly Cairns. Holly said: “Politics is the only business in Ireland that does not provide maternity leave for TDs, Senators and County Councillors. “Maternity leave is not a perk; it’s not […]

Tá na Daonlathaigh Shóisíalta thar a bheith sásta tacaíocht a thabhart do fhorbairt na Gaeilge, mar theanga beo agus mar acmhainn don gcultúir, lámh le láimh leis na Gaeltachtaí. Tá sé ar intinn againn fuinneamh nua a instealladh sa Ghaeilge,agus feabhsú a dhéanamh d’oideachas na Gaeilge, i scoileanna faoi mheán an Bhéarla.Ba cheart go mbeidh […]

Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has welcomed a commitment from the Taoiseach that he will confirm today in writing that the disgraceful disability cuts of €20m will no longer go ahead. Deputy Shortall said: “These cuts, billed as ‘efficiency cuts’, were announced back in January before the Covid-19 crisis. And while there […]