News

The non-consensual distribution of intimate images needs an urgent Government response, including the establishment of a helpline for victims, according to Social Democrats TD for Dublin Central, Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson for Education, said: “An abhorrent act took place this week when thousands of intimate images of women and young […]

Social Democrats TD for Cork South-West, Holly Cairns, has called on the Government to do more to address the alarming increase in domestic abuse and gender-based violence, which has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Speaking in the Dáil today, Holly said: “Safe Ireland have rightly called domestic abuse the ‘shadow pandemic’. During the first […]

Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has described this morning’s appearance of the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NHPDB) before the Joint Health Committee as deeply unsatisfactory, with serious questions remaining about escalating costs and delays to the National Children’s Hospital project. Deputy Shortall, who is the party’s spokesperson for Health, said: “It […]

Social Democrats Housing spokesperson and Dublin Bay North TD, Cian O’Callaghan, has reacted to the outcome of tonight’s resounding vote on the Oscar Traynor Road lands at a Dublin City Council meeting. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “I hope this vote signals a new direction for housing policy in Dublin. The message is clear – people want […]

Social Democrats Councillors will vote against the proposals for the Lawrence Lands site on Oscar Traynor Road at the Dublin City Council meeting tonight. Cllr Patricia Roe of Artane-Whitehall, where the site is located, said: “It is our view that the proposed deal between the Council and property developer Glenveagh is not a good use […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, says she is optimistic that extended Parent’s Leave will be introduced earlier than anticipated in the new year after she raised the issue with the Minister for Children this week. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson for Children, said: “At a meeting of the Children’s Committee, I […]

Social Democrats TD for Cork South-West, Holly Cairns, has welcomed confirmation that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine has lodged an appeal against a court decision to allow large trawlers fish inside Ireland’s six-mile limit. Holly, who is the party’s spokesperson for Agriculture and the Marine, said: “The overturning of the fishing directive […]

Social Democrats TD for Cork South-West, Holly Cairns, believes that Ireland needs to look at international models when it comes to providing improved supports and services to victims of domestic violence. Holly said: “The week’s Safe Ireland report highlighted a worrying increase in people fleeing domestic violence. The figures included 3,450 women and 589 children […]

Social Democrats TD for Cork South-West, Holly Cairns, has called on the Government and relevant stakeholders to address the underlying issues resulting in gender pay inequality in Ireland. After raising the issue with the Tánaiste in the Dáil today, Holly said: “This week marked gender pay day when, in effect, women in Ireland are working […]

Co-leader of the Social Democrats, Róisín Shortall TD, has called on the Government to clarify if international travel has been factored into modelling for a potential increase in Covid-19 infection levels over the Christmas period. Speaking in the Dáil today, Deputy Shortall said: “In recent days the Government has announced changes to the international travel […]

Social Democrats Housing spokesperson and Dublin Bay North TD, Cian O’Callaghan, has welcomed the National Economic and Social Council’s call for bold action to address our dysfunctional housing system. Deputy Cian O’Callaghan said: “The National Economic and Social Council is the latest body to call on the Government to do more to address our dysfunctional […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, has warned that a hard Brexit could potentially impact on the rights of children to access healthcare, housing and education on both sides of the border. Speaking in the Dáil today on the Brexit Omnibus Bill, Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson for Children, said: “A lot […]

Speaking in the Dáil this afternoon, Social Democrats spokesperson for International Affairs and Dublin Bay North TD, Cian O’Callaghan, warned that a no trade deal Brexit will have a disproportionate impact on low income households and has called on the Government to poverty proof its plan. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “The Government needs to put additional […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, has called for an immediate ban on mink farming in Ireland following the emergence of a new strain of Covid-19 relating to the industry in Europe and the US. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson for Climate Action and Biodiversity, said: “There have always been ethical and […]