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The Government must commit to a just transition climate change model to ensure that low-income families are not plunged deeper into fuel poverty, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Speaking in the Dáil today, Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson for Climate Action and Biodiversity, said: “Energy poverty remains a huge problem in […]

Speaking after today’s Health Committee session on Covid-19 in nursing homes, Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, expressed her serious concern and disappointment that so little has changed since the first wave of the pandemic. Deputy Shortall commented: “It is shocking that we are now seeing a second tragic wave of Covid-19 in […]

Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has welcomed today’s news that the European Medicines Agency has recommended the AstraZeneca vaccine for authorisation in the EU. Deputy Shortall commented: “Today’s news that the EMA has approved the AstraZeneca vaccine will come as a relief, especially to older people. “It is regrettable that, at this […]

Social Democrats spokesperson for Climate Action and Biodiversity, Jennifer Whitmore TD, has welcomed confirmation that the Irish Coursing Club (ICC) is to immediately release all captured hares back into the wild. Deputy Whitmore had raised concerns after the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, conceded recently that some hares may have […]

Social Democrats Housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan TD today described the two-tier system of emergency accommodation for homeless people as completely unacceptable. Commenting, Deputy O’Callaghan said: “Brendan Kenny of Dublin City Council confirmed at today’s meeting of the Oireachtas Housing Committee that the National Quality and Standards Framework for homeless service providers is not being applied […]

The Oireachtas Housing Committee learnt today that homeless deaths in Dublin increased by 61% in 2020. In total, 79 people who were homeless in Dublin died in 2020, according to the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive. This compares to 49 in 2019 and 47 in 2018. Social Democrats Housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan said: “It is tragic […]

Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan has expressed frustration after the Minister for Housing was again unable to provide clear answers as to why homeless people are still being turned away from emergency accommodation. Speaking after tackling Minister O’Brien on the issue in the Dáil today, Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s Housing spokesperson, commented: “Minister […]

Social Democrats spokesperson for Climate Action and Biodiversity, Jennifer Whitmore TD, has asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to ensure that all hares netted for coursing purposes in December will be released back into the wild. In response to a parliamentary question from Deputy Whitmore, Minister Darragh O’Brien said it was his […]

There is broad public acceptance that enforceable quarantine measures are required to keep other variants of Covid-19 out of the country, according to Catherine Murphy TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats. Speaking in the Dáil today, Deputy Murphy told the Taoiseach that the Government seems to be operating on the working assumption that international travel […]

Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns believes that Irish citizens would overwhelmingly support a referendum to enshrine economic, social and cultural rights in the Constitution. Speaking in the Dáil today in support of the 37th Amendment of the Constitution (Economic, Social and Cultural Rights) Bill 2018, Holly said: “Economic, social and cultural rights help ensure a better […]

Reacting to today’s Government announcement on the extension of Level 5 restrictions, Gary Gannon TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Education, said: “Vague promises to reopen schools as early as possible will be of little comfort to parents and students. In the absence of an agreement with all stakeholders, the Government’s stated intention to prioritise the […]

Reacting to today’s Government announcement on the extension of Level 5 and the introduction of additional restrictions relating to travel, Róisín Shortall TD, co leader of the Social Democrats, made the following points: Disappointing that proposals fall far short of a Zero Covid or elimination strategy. There is public support for going further. We need […]

Today’s announcement in relation to travel effectively reduces the amount of time that passengers arriving from the UK have to restrict their movements for, according to Catherine Murphy TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats. Deputy Murphy said: “In a response to a parliamentary question from me on January 20, 2021, the Minister for Transport, Eamon […]

Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has said we should mark International Day of Education today by reflecting on the vital role that our schools play in society. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson for Education, said: “Covid-19 has made it clear that our schools and school community provide more than just places to learn […]