News

Social Democrats TD for Cork South-West, Holly Cairns, has again highlighted the devastating mental toll that Covid-19 restrictions in maternity hospitals are having on expectant parents. For the past number of months, Holly has been one of the most prominent voices in the campaign to have restrictions relaxed and today voiced her frustration at the […]

Speaking on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns said it is important for the State to recognise the challenges, achievements and realities of being a person with a disability in Ireland. Holly, who is the Social Democrats spokesperson for Disability Issues, said: “This year, the World Health Organisation celebrates the […]

The Social Democrats have given a cautious welcome to a report from a review group, led by retired judge James Hamilton. The Hamilton Review contains 25 recommendations and aims to tackle white collar crime in a far more uniform way. The challenge now for Government is to adopt and implement these recommendations. Social Democrats Justice spokesperson, […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called for immediate Government action following the publication of data by Met Éireann which shows that Ireland’s weather in 2020 indicates further evidence of climate change. Met Éireann has revealed that: 2020 was a record-breaking year in Ireland for February rainfall and dry spring. Extreme weather patterns experienced in […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has called on the Government to end the exploitation of student nurses and midwives who have been expected to fill gaps in our chronically under-funded health service during the pandemic. Speaking in support of a motion on the issue from Solidarity-People Before Profit today, Deputy Shortall said: “It should […]

Catherine Murphy TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has called on the Government to consider using spare capacity in the testing system to prevent future outbreaks in hospitals and other settings. Speaking during Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil today, Deputy Murphy said: “Since the outset of the pandemic, the advice has been that testing is […]

Social Democrats Housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan TD has expressed very serious concern about the number of people sleeping rough who are being excluded from emergency accommodation. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “I’m very concerned about the spike in the numbers of homeless deaths. It’s about 35% higher than this time last year. Behind each number is a […]

Social Democrats Housing spokesperson and Dublin Bay North TD, Cian O’Callaghan, has expressed concern about the increase in the number of people becoming homeless and living in emergency accommodation. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “The latest figures released by the Department of Housing show that the number of people becoming homeless and living in emergency accommodation has […]

Today’s Dáil statement by the Minister for Justice on the circumstances of Seamus Woulfe’s appointment to the Supreme Court highlights the necessity for a constitutional referendum on judicial reform, according to Catherine Murphy TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats. Deputy Murphy, who is the party’s spokesperson for Justice, said: “It is regrettable that we are […]

Social Democrats Housing spokesperson and Dublin Bay North TD, Cian O’Callaghan, has expressed sadness at the news that two more homeless men have died overnight and called on the Government to ramp up the delivery of Housing First homes and supports. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “It is very sad news that two more men who are […]

The release of a new report by the EPA is a stark reminder of how far Ireland has to go to reach environmental sustainability, according to Jennifer Whitmore TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Climate Action and Biodiversity. Among the findings of the seventh EPA ‘State of the Environment Report’ are: Almost ninety per cent of […]

The refusal of the Minister for Justice to answer questions in a normal manner about the circumstances of Seamus Woulfe’s appointment to the Supreme Court has the potential to bring both the Oireachtas and the judiciary into disrepute, according to Róisín Shortall, co-leader of the Social Democrats. Speaking in the Dáil today, Deputy Shortall said: […]

The Social Democrats will bring a motion to the Dáil tomorrow to oppose increased funding for Irish greyhound racing and are calling on the Government to phase out State support for the sector. The motion, which will be debated during Private Members’ Time on Wednesday, November 25, will call for the €2.4 million in increased funding earmarked for greyhound racing […]

Social Democrats Housing spokesperson and Dublin Bay North TD, Cian O’Callaghan, has welcomed the Government’s reversal of the co-living policy. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “The ban on co-living developments is long overdue. The Government must now draw a line in the sand under these shoddy housing policies. “At the heart of the co-living plan was a […]