News

Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, believes that Ireland needs to learn from the success of New Zealand in combatting the spread of Covid-19. Deputy Shortall said: “The Government needs to follow the clear advice of the CMO and leading public health experts, such as Professor Gabriel Scally, who said over the weekend […]

The Social Democrats are this weekend marking their 5th anniversary, and the rapid growth of the Party since 2015. Co-leader, Róisín Shortall TD, said: “It has been an extraordinary first five years. We now have 24 public representatives and a party full of members with ambition, passion and a huge appetite to build on very […]

The Social Democrats spokesperson on Education, Gary Gannon TD, has expressed grave concerns for the mental health of young people in light of the three-week delay in the Leaving Certificate results. Deputy Gannon said: “The last Government was crippled by indecision when it came to whether or not State exams would be able to proceed. […]

Social Democrats TD for Cork South West, Holly Cairns, today accused the Government of abdicating its responsibilities for people with disabilities by being overly reliant on the voluntary sector and family carers. At the Special Covid Committee this morning, representatives from the disability sector highlighted the many challenges for people with disabilities in our society […]

The Social Democrats have strongly condemned the three Government parties of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party for voting down their motion on Workers’ Rights today. The party’s first Private Members’ Time motion of the 33rd Dáil was debated last night. It sought to increase protection for workers across a range of areas, including […]

Róisín Shortall, TD and co-leader of the Social Democrats, has called on the Tánaiste Leo Varadkar to clarify his comments made in the Dáil today that, “People coming into the island for any reason are being asked to restrict their movements, not self-isolate or quarantine, for 14 days.” Deputy Shortall said, “There has been considerable […]

Gary Gannon TD, Social Democrats spokesperson on Education, and Holly Cairns TD, spokesperson on Further and Higher Education, have expressed concern at Minister Simon Harris’s statement that the cost of providing third level education will increase in the short-term as a result of COVID-19. Both TDs are seeking clarity on the matter and an assurance […]

Temporary extension of rent freeze and evictions ban is not enough – Cian O’Callaghan TD Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson and TD for Dublin Bay North, Cian O’Callaghan, has warned that today’s announcement by the Government of an extension of the rent freeze and ban on evictions does not go far enough. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “The […]

The Social Democrats have strongly criticised a Government amendment to its Workers’ Rights Motion which is due to be debated in the Dáil this evening. Dublin Central TD, Gary Gannon, said the amendment from the Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar TD, was a disgraceful attempt by the Government to undermine the SocDems motion, which seeks to have […]

Cork South West TD, Holly Cairns, has criticised the delay on promised legislation for the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and called on the Tanáiste, Leo Varadkar TD, to commit to bring legislation forward urgently. The Convention protects and ensures the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights […]

Calling on the Taoiseach to act today on people coming into Ireland from areas where Covid-19 is out of control, such as cities in the US, Catherine Murphy TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, said: “Restaurant and tourist businesses owners have been catapulted into being the primary vetting agencies for their customers who may be […]

Responding to the EU General Court decision on the Apple tax case, Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats said: “The judgement is a pyrrhic victory for the tax-payers of Ireland, and indeed other European countries. “It is the public purse that loses out. We have a right to expect a fair tax on […]

The Social Democrats today publish the motion on Workers’ Rights that they will bring forward in their first Private Members’ time in the 33rd Dáil. The motion will be debated on Wednesday, July 15, at 8pm. The motion aims to increase protection for workers across a range of areas, including low-pay, precarious work, collective bargaining […]

Gary Gannon TD said, “News of increased paid parents leave today is welcome, even though it does not fully address the calls for twelve weeks additional leave for women who had maternity leave during lockdown. These women didn’t have access to many postnatal supports, and the three additional weeks will not fully address these issues.” […]