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Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore TD has called for tomorrow’s vote on the CETA trade deal to be postponed, warning that it could affect the Government’s ability to legislate for climate action measures. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson for Climate Action and Biodiversity, said: “With this trade deal comes a very controversial mechanism […]

The Social Democrats are calling for tomorrow’s vote on CETA (Comprehensive European Trade Agreement) to be postponed. Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy said: “We have huge concerns about CETA, particularly around the Investor-State Dispute Settlement, or ISDS. This effectively lays out a platform for corporations to sue national governments for creating policies that might negatively affect the corporation’s […]

Social Democrats TD for Dublin Bay North, Cian O’Callaghan, has expressed concern at today’s news that 440 staff at a pharmaceutical company in Baldoyle are to lose their jobs. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “Staff at Viatris in Baldoyle Industrial Estate found out today that the plant is to be wound-down over a two-year period as part […]

Co-leader of the Social Democrats, Róisín Shortall TD, has welcomed the breakthrough on pay restoration for workers in the remaining 250 Section 39 organisations. Deputy Shortall said: “Section 39 workers do the same work as their public service counterparts and deserve equal pay. I now call on the Minister for Health to include union representatives in […]

Co-leader of the Social Democrats, Róisín Shortall TD, has asked the Government to consider moving teenagers with underlying health conditions further up the priority list when a Covid-19 vaccine becomes available. Speaking in the Dáil today, Deputy Shortall said: “Earlier this week, the Minister for Health released the first report in relation to the proposed […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called for urgent reform of our immigration system following confirmation from the Taoiseach yesterday that there would be a stay on deportations for the duration of the Covid-19 crisis, Deputy Whitmore said: “While the Taoiseach’s statement in the Dáil yesterday was most welcome and a stay on deportations during […]

Catherine Murphy TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has questioned the logic of the State entering into 25-year leases with developers for the purpose of providing social housing. Speaking in the Dáil today, Deputy Murphy said: “Health has been front and centre this year due to Covid-19 and as a result the housing crisis has […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, has welcomed today’s positive response from the Taoiseach to her call to suspend deportations during the Covid-19 crisis. Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Whitmore raised the plight of a constituent living in Wicklow who was recently served with a Deportation Order back to his country of origin, which […]

Investment in mental health services needs to be front and centre of the Government’s response to Covid-19, according to Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats. Speaking in the Dáil today, Deputy Shortall said: “Covid-19 has had an unprecedented impact on physical and mental health. At a time when demand has increased, service delivery […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, has expressed concern about the new assessment of needs system, which she believes is failing children and families. She made her comments after parents and child development experts attended a meeting of the Oireachtas Children’s Committee. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson for Children, voiced a number […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, has welcomed today’s Cabinet approval to extend Parental Leave by a further three weeks. However, she has urged the Department of Children to make it payable to parents at the start of the new year and not in April 2021, as proposed in the Budget. Deputy Whitmore, who […]

Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns has expressed outrage at plans for a Strategic Housing Development and apartment blocks in the vicinity of Bessborough Mother and Baby Institution in Cork city. After raising the issue with the Taoiseach in the Dáil today, Holly said: “More than 900 children died while in the care of nuns at […]

Social Democrats Housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan T.D. said: “A significant number of people who are sleeping rough on our streets and in tents are being denied access to emergency accommodation. The Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien T.D. stated on Morning Ireland that no-one is being turned away from emergency accommodation. This statement is simply incorrect. […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, has called for a significant increase in funding for environmental organisations. She made the call after it was revealed by the Irish Environmental Network that its organisations received on average only €13,000 from the Environment Fund in the Department of Environment. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson […]