News

Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson and T.D. for Dublin Bay North, Cian O’Callaghan welcomes the drop in the number of people living in emergency accommodation which according to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government has fallen from 9,335 to 8,876. Cian O’Callaghan said: ‘It’s welcome news that the number of people who are homeless […]

In advance of Global Pride 2020 and the virtual Dublin Pride Parade taking place this weekend, Social Democrats Foreign Affairs Spokesperson and T.D. for Dublin Bay North, Cian O’Callaghan has called for a renewed commitment to progressing LGBTQI+ issues including sexual health services, trans healthcare and the defence of LGBTQI+ people internationally. Cian O’Callaghan said: […]

Cork South West TD, Holly Cairns, has highlighted the need for immediate action on supporting victims and survivors of domestic violence. Cork City and County has one domestic violence refuge, which has six units for families; however, due to Covid-19 restrictions that has now been reduced to two units. Holly has called on the Minister […]

Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy has described yesterday’s High Court ruling on employment rights as deeply disturbing and says it leaves many lower paid workers vulnerable and opens up the possibility for previously hard fought for pay and conditions achieved through collective bargaining to be rescinded by some employers on foot of this ruling. Catherine […]

The roadmap for fully resuming the health service, including elective surgeries and screening services, is long overdue and now a matter of urgency, according to Róisín Shortall TD and co-leader of the Social Democrats. She said, “For each of the last three weeks, the Minister has promised that the roadmap for the health service would […]

Speaking at the Special Committee on Covid-19 Response, Holly Cairns TD, drew attention to the unique challenges faced by island and Gaeltacht communities in recovering from the effects of the Covid pandemic. Holly called for targeted supports for these communities. Holly said: “We should commend island communities, such as Bere, Sherkin, Heir and Cape Clear […]

Social Democrats spokesperson on Rural and Community Development, Holly Cairns has stressed the need for both joined-up thinking from government and a commitment to working with affected communities in creating robust flood defences and mitigation strategies. Speaking on the government’s Annual Statement on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development, Holly raised the importance of flood […]

Social Democrats Foreign Affairs Spokesperson and T.D. for Dublin Bay North, Cian O’Callaghan welcomes Ireland’s election to the United Nations Security Council and calls on the Government to use its new influence to promote peacebuilding and peacekeeping, and to stand up for human rights, minority groups, Palestine and other small nations. Deputy Cian O’Callaghan said: […]

Holly Cairns, Social Democrat spokesperson on Agriculture, Food, and the Marine, raised the issue of supporting small fishing communities in the Dáil. Speaking on the government’s Annual Statement on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development, Holly highlighted the importance of small piers and marine infrastructure to sustainable fishing. Holly explains: “Last week was World Oceans […]

The Social Democrats have reacted to the publication of today’s Programme for Government by reiterating their call for a clear outline of how it is intended to fund the measures included in the document. The party says that the main priorities of any government must be an improvement in public services and a rebooting of […]

Cork South West TD, Holly Cairns, Social Democrat spokesperson on Agriculture, Food, and the Marine, highlighted the need for a just transition and creativity to be at the heart of climate action on agriculture and fishing. Speaking in the Dáil on the government’s Annual Statement on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development, Holly stressed that […]

Social Democrats Spokesperson for Children Jennifer Whitmore has reiterated her call for the retention of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. The call comes amid repeated suggestions in the media that the existing Department should merge with the Department of Education and a separate new Department for Higher Education be formed instead.  Whitmore says […]

Róisín Shortall, TD and co-leader of the Social Democrats, has spoken out against this Friday’s (12 June 2020) deadline for patients and family members of deceased patients to opt out of a study which will collect tissue from decades of brain surgery. She is calling on the Minister for Health to extend the opt-out deadline […]

Social Democrats Spokesperson for Children, Deputy Jennifer Whitmore has today welcomed the announcement by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs of a funding package of €75m to the childcare sector to help facilities reopen at the end of the month. Whitmore welcomes the inclusion of a once-off grant totalling €375,000 to be provided for childminders. […]