News

Criticising the absence of a coherent Government strategy on tackling the potential importation of coronavirus, Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD called on the Taoiseach to follow the advice of NPHET and deal comprehensively with inward travel. Speaking during Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil, Róisín Shortall TD said: “The Taoiseach has not dispelled the huge […]

Schools are facing a wave of trauma Speaking ahead of a briefing for Opposition spokespersons by the Minister for Education this afternoon, Gary Gannon TD, the Social Democrats spokesperson on Education, said: “It’s hard to see anything other than chaos unfolding as our schools attempt to reopen in the autumn. The failure is one of […]

Welcoming that an EU deal on a Covid19 recovery package and the EU Budget has been agreed, Cian O’Callaghan TD, Social Democrats spokesperson on European and Foreign Affairs, said: “The agreement of a large European response to the Covid19 economic crisis is positive, but the deal and the manner in which the deal was made, […]

The Social Democrats have today announced spokesperson roles for the 33rd Dáil. Co-leader Catherine Murphy said: “In announcing our spokesperson roles today, I am confirming that the Social Democrats will continue to work as we did in the last Dáil – by being constructive and practical but also by not being afraid to ask the tough […]

Calling on the Government and Minister for Children to outline clearly the long-term plans to support the childcare sector and put children, not the system, first, Social Democrats spokesperson for children, Jennifer Whitmore TD said: “The continuing Government uncertainty on the funding package to support the childcare sector for the period beyond the end of August is […]

Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan T.D., responding to reports of a Government decision on a short extension to the ban on evictions and rent increases stated: “Media reports of a very short extension of the ban on evictions and rent increases until August 1st followed by a ban on evictions until January will heighten […]

Holly Cairns TD, the Social Democrats spokesperson on Agriculture, said today that farmers need to be supported by the Government to help prevent workplace accidents. The Cork South West TD made her comments as Farm Safety Week got underway and shocking statistics on farm accidents were released by the National Office of Clinical Audit. The […]

Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, believes that Ireland needs to learn from the success of New Zealand in combatting the spread of Covid-19. Deputy Shortall said: “The Government needs to follow the clear advice of the CMO and leading public health experts, such as Professor Gabriel Scally, who said over the weekend […]

The Social Democrats are this weekend marking their 5th anniversary, and the rapid growth of the Party since 2015. Co-leader, Róisín Shortall TD, said: “It has been an extraordinary first five years. We now have 24 public representatives and a party full of members with ambition, passion and a huge appetite to build on very […]

The Social Democrats spokesperson on Education, Gary Gannon TD, has expressed grave concerns for the mental health of young people in light of the three-week delay in the Leaving Certificate results. Deputy Gannon said: “The last Government was crippled by indecision when it came to whether or not State exams would be able to proceed. […]

Social Democrats TD for Cork South West, Holly Cairns, today accused the Government of abdicating its responsibilities for people with disabilities by being overly reliant on the voluntary sector and family carers. At the Special Covid Committee this morning, representatives from the disability sector highlighted the many challenges for people with disabilities in our society […]

The Social Democrats have strongly condemned the three Government parties of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party for voting down their motion on Workers’ Rights today. The party’s first Private Members’ Time motion of the 33rd Dáil was debated last night. It sought to increase protection for workers across a range of areas, including […]

Social Democrats Councillor, Ronan Moore, is to work with Meath County Council and local stakeholders to champion the introduction of ‘Communications Boards’ in county playgrounds and other amenities. Communication Boards are primarily a communications support and literacy aid. They are of particular benefit to children or adults who are either pre-verbal/non-verbal or have communication difficulties. […]

Róisín Shortall, TD and co-leader of the Social Democrats, has called on the Tánaiste Leo Varadkar to clarify his comments made in the Dáil today that, “People coming into the island for any reason are being asked to restrict their movements, not self-isolate or quarantine, for 14 days.” Deputy Shortall said, “There has been considerable […]