News

Reacting to today’s announcement of renewed restrictions, Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, said: “Today’s news will come as a bitter blow to the hospitality industry and other businesses affected by the renewed restrictions and the very many workers who will be laid off. It will also be met with disappointment by families […]

Following news of the new strain of Covid-19 which has appeared in Britain, Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has called for immediate and decisive action from the Government, an extension of the UK travel ban, renewed advice to the public in relation to gatherings and a clear decision on the early closure […]

Social Democrats spokesperson for Education, Gary Gannon TD, has welcomed confirmation from the Department of Social Protection that funding for the school meals programme will be made available over the Christmas period for any school participating in the scheme that wishes to avail of it. Deputy Gannon said: “It is important to get the message […]

With Ireland now facing the possibility of earlier restrictions to curb the recent increase in cases of Covid-19, Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has urged the Government to make any announcements as early as possible. Deputy Shortall said: “Unfortunately, all the indicators are that the case numbers are going in the wrong […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, has welcomed the Committee for Climate Action’s launch of the pre-legislative report on the Climate Action Bill. The report contains recommendations by members of the Oireachtas Committee which will be considered by the Minister for Climate Action when redrafting the Bill before it’s introduced in the Dáil. Deputy […]

Reacting to the Government’s new affordable housing plan, Social Democrats spokesperson for Housing, Cian O’Callaghan TD, said: “Relying on the private sector for the provision of affordable housing is a broken model. The Shared Equity Scheme is more of the same old, failed, developer-led policymaking. We need a change of direction. “The private sector alone […]

Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan has warned that the Government is not adequately prepared to deal with the consequences of Brexit. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s Brexit spokesperson, said: “Deal or no-deal, Brexit will have a significant impact on Ireland. With just two weeks to go, I am concerned about how prepared the Government […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, today questioned why the Government is in such a rush to ratify the CETA trade deal. Speaking in the Dáil, she asked the Tánaiste to explain what the benefits were to pushing ahead with the deal before Christmas. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson for Climate Action […]

Co-leader of the Social Democrats, Róisín Shortall TD, has raised serious concerns surrounding the awarding of a €14m contract by the HSE to an Irish company that imported ventilators from China that were unfit for use. Speaking during Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil today, Deputy Shortall said: “I accept that the Government and HSE were […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, said in the Dáil today that the €50m transfer to Denmark and Estonia for renewable energy credits is a failure and should serve as a wake-up call to the Government. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Climate Action and Biodiversity, was speaking on the motion marking […]

Social Democrats Housing spokesperson and Dublin Bay North TD, Cian O’Callaghan, speaking on the Homeless Prevention Bill being discussed by the Dáil this evening, said: “We have to take proactive steps to prevent more people from becoming homeless. Over the last four years, spending on homeless prevention has fallen from 7% of the overall budget […]

Social Democrats spokesperson for Education, Gary Gannon TD, has called for teachers, SNAs and school staff to be prioritised for the Covid-19 vaccine. Deputy Gannon stated: “Today, UNICEF issued a press statement calling for teachers to be prioritised for the Covid-19 vaccine worldwide, following healthcare workers and high-risk populations. “Yet, in our current strategy, they […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, has welcomed an indication from the Minister for Disabilities, Anne Rabbitte, that she would be open to a future review of the assessment of needs model. Deputy Whitmore had called on the minister to suspend the roll-out of the new operating procedures under the assessment of needs model, […]

Co-leader of the Social Democrats, Róisín Shortall TD, has today welcomed the announcement of the Covid-19 vaccination strategy, saying there is huge potential to transform the way we are living. However, given that approval from the EMA is expected within the next two weeks, she has emphasised the need for early clarification from Government on […]