News

Clarity needed on whether census data on population growth was used when allocating additional funds to local authorities Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy has called on the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to publish the methodology used by the working group that reviewed the model of baseline funding to local authorities from Local […]

Bus Éireann needs to clarify the numbers affected by driver shortages and give a timeline for resolution of the issue  The Social Democrats have called on Bus Éireann and the Department of Education to immediately outline what steps will be taken to address serious shortcomings in the operation of the School Transport Scheme. Jennifer Whitmore, […]

Minister for Health unable to provide details of new completion date or an estimate of final costs for troubled development The Minister for Health’s inability to provide a revised completion date or estimate of final costs for the new National Children’s Hospital shows that the Government has lost control of the project, according to Social […]

More than a dozen issues of serious concern are outlined in Inland Fisheries Ireland’s annual report and financial statements for 2021 Inland Fisheries Ireland must address serious issues of concern when representatives from the State body appear before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) next week, according to Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy. Deputy Murphy, who […]

How the Data Protection Commission goes about its tasks is already opaque Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy has criticised a Government amendment to a Justice Bill that would create confidential processes for data protection investigations. “I share the concerns expressed today by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) in relation to the amendment proposed […]

The worst thing, for RTÉ and its staff, would be for a drip-feed of information to characterise the inquiry into this debacle Dee Forbes’ resignation statement raises further serious questions, and it is important she attends the Public Accounts Committee on Thursday to answer them, according to Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy. Deputy Murphy, who […]

Today’s bombshell revelations involve a serious breach of trust Senior RTÉ management must appear before the Public Accounts Committee before the summer recess to explain its secret payments to Ryan Tubridy, according to Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy. Deputy Murphy, who is vice-chair of the PAC, has written to the PAC to request the appearance […]

Enterprise Minister should meet with Tara mine management in Sweden next week  The shock decision to temporarily lay off 650 workers at Tara Mines is a huge blow to the workers, their families, and the wider community in Meath, according to Social Democrats Enterprise Spokesperson Catherine Murphy. “This decision came out of the blue last […]

Increase in road toll rates cannot be justified in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis Increased road toll charges due to come into effect next month will heap further pressure on motorists and lead to more price rises for consumers, according to Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy. Deputy Murphy, who is the party’s spokesperson on […]

Department of Justice must urgently act on report’s findings Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy has called on the Government to urgently implement the recommendations of an independent study which found that an average of four women in Ireland died every year between 2014 and 2019 as a result of family violence. Deputy Murphy, who is […]

Those affected must receive adequate redundancy packages from Meta and be fully supported in securing alternative employment Social Democrats enterprise spokesperson Catherine Murphy has expressed disappointment at the scale of Irish job losses announced by Meta today. “My immediate thoughts are with the almost 500 employees and their families affected by the latest raft of […]

Hate crime legislation must be enacted and implemented as a matter of priority A huge increase in hate crimes across the country is shocking but not surprising, according to Social Democrats Justice Spokesperson Catherine Murphy. “Hate crimes, and hate related incidents, increased by nearly 30pc last year. Almost 600 incidents were recorded, nearly 200 more than […]

Timeline will be crucial in tackling the safety threat posed by illegal drone usage  The Government must act urgently to mitigate the risk posed by drones to aircraft passengers and residents living in the vicinity of Dublin Airport, according to Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy. Deputy Murphy, who is the party’s Transport spokesperson, said: “The […]

Putin’s despotic behaviour shows that we can no longer take peace for granted in Europe  Ireland must continue to offer unwavering support to those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, according to Catherine Murphy, co-leader of the Social Democrats. Deputy Murphy, who will speak at today’s rally at the GPO in Dublin to mark the first […]