News

Reacting to today’s Supreme Court decision to quash the Government’s 2017 National Mitigation Plan, Jennifer Whitmore TD, Social Democrats spokesperson on Climate, said: “This decision should serve as a wake-up call for the Government. We need to act decisively and urgently to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and this means frontloading measures that will see […]

Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, said today that concerns expressed by the Data Protection Commission about social welfare checks at ports and airports will require a full and detailed response from the Taoiseach. Deputy Shortall said: “In the Dáil this week, I challenged the Taoiseach to state the specific legal basis under […]

Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson, Cian O’Callaghan TD, will tell the Dáil today that frontline workers deserve the same protections as other tenants. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “I’ve tabled an amendment to the Government’s Residential Tenancies and Valuation Bill 2020 that, if passed, will ensure that all tenants, including frontline workers, receive the same level of protection. […]

Social Democrats TD for Cork South West, Holly Cairns, says that supports for the tourism and hospitality sectors in the July stimulus package fall far short of what is required. Holly said: “I believe there is a need for further practical supports and increased grants for the tourism sector in the July stimulus. Clearly there […]

Jennifer Whitmore, Social Democrats spokesperson for Children, says it will be critical that sufficient mental health supports are made available as schools reopen in the coming weeks. Deputy Whitmore said: “There will be a lot of anxiety amongst children as they transition back into school life after being home for six months. During this period, […]

Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson and T.D. for Dublin Bay North, Cian O’Callaghan is calling on Minister O’Brien, Minister Donnelly & Minister Feighan to reverse cuts to homeless mental health services. Deputy O’Callaghan said: ‘When it comes to services and supports for those that are homeless, actions speak louder than words. Today Minister O’Brien, Minister Donnelly & Minister […]

Lack of maternity leave continues to be a glaringly obvious barrier to women entering politics, according to Social Democrats TD for Cork South West, Holly Cairns. Holly said: “Politics is the only business in Ireland that does not provide maternity leave for TDs, Senators and County Councillors. “Maternity leave is not a perk; it’s not […]

Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has welcomed a commitment from the Taoiseach that he will confirm today in writing that the disgraceful disability cuts of €20m will no longer go ahead. Deputy Shortall said: “These cuts, billed as ‘efficiency cuts’, were announced back in January before the Covid-19 crisis. And while there […]

Gary Gannon TD, the Social Democrats spokesperson on Social Protection, has backed calls by St Vincent de Paul for the establishment of a Special Oireachtas Committee on Poverty and Inequality. Deputy Gannon said: “Disadvantaged communities have been disproportionately impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and there are now over 700,000 people experiencing poverty in Ireland. Poverty […]

Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Higher Education, has called for immediate action after frightening levels of sexual violence and harassment in Irish third level education were highlighted during a meeting between Minister Simon Harris and the National Advisory Committee on Consent and Sexual Harassment. Deputy Cairns said: “The alarming rates of rape, sexual […]

Dublin North West TD and co-leader of the Social Democrats, Róisín Shortall, has welcomed the inclusion of Finglas as the preferred route for the Luas Green Line extension but has questioned the 10-year timeline for delivery of the project. The proposed route will link the Green Line between Broombridge and Charlestown, with additional stops at […]

Jennifer Whitmore TD, the Social Democrats spokesperson for the Environment, and Holly Cairns TD, spokesperson for Agriculture, have called on the Government to properly resource the National Parks and Wildlife Service and to establish a specialised Garda unit to deal with wildlife crime. The TDs have highlighted the fact that the number of successful prosecutions […]

Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson, Cian O’Callaghan TD, has described the Government’s removal of pandemic protections for renters as premature and short-sighted. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “The statement by the Minister for Housing in the Dáil today, justifying the removal of protections for renters based on Ireland moving out of a public health emergency, is extremely premature. […]

Gary Gannon, the Social Democrats spokesperson on Social Protection, has called on backbench TDs from the three Government parties to vote against measures in tonight’s Social Welfare Bill that will make it difficult for Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) recipients to return to their former employment. Deputy Gannon said: “The revelations over the weekend that PUP […]