News

Social Democrats view with extreme concern allegations made in current edition of the Village Magazine concerning the Tanáiste and the alleged leaking of confidential documents, which appear to have been under Cabinet consideration at the time. Co-leader Róisín Shortall TD called on the Tanáiste to make a statement: “In view of the import of these […]

Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has called on the HSE to issue urgent medical advice after a hand sanitiser product used in schools was recalled due to a potential public health risk. Deputy Shortall, who is the party’s spokesperson for Health, said: “The priority at this point has to be to get […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall has expressed serious concern at revelations that the Minister for Health only learned of the unfolding crisis with the contact tracing system on Tuesday night. Deputy Shortall, who is the party’s spokesperson on Health, said: “Today’s statement from the Department of Health on the collapse of the testing and tracing […]

The Social Democrats have called for assurances from senior management around the future of Ulster Bank in Ireland. The call comes from the party as the Minister for Finance meets the bank today. Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD said: “There has been speculation for weeks around the future of Ulster Bank. Neither bank management in Ireland, nor the parent company Natwest, […]

The Social Democrats have called for swift action to introduce a targeted sick pay scheme for staff in the nursing home sector and meat industry. Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD today raised with the Taoiseach the need for the immediate introduction of a targeted scheme for staff who are particularly vulnerable. Commenting, Deputy Shortall said: “We have repeatedly […]

Budget 2021 did not allocate sufficient resources to our ICUs or invest adequately in Sláintecare Commenting, Roisin Shortall TD, co-leader and spokesperson on Health said: “The investment in ICUs flowing from Budget 2021 will fall far short of what is required. While capital expenditure in additional beds is welcome, there is a shortfall of around 250 critical care […]

Budget 2021 shows lack of ambition in key areas Reacting to Budget 2021, the Social Democrats have said that it represents a “lost opportunity ” to make the choices that would lead to long term social and economic revival. The party have said that the budget missed key opportunities to invest for the long term in public services […]

The Social Democrats have launched their alternative budget, with a call for the Government to focus on ‘Survival and Revival’ across economic and social life. The party is calling for a focus on protecting jobs and incomes, strengthening public services, and investing to offer people hope in the future. The party’s pre-budget document lays out a […]

Responding to the grave concern expressed this evening by the Chief Medical Officer about the deterioration in the numbers of Covid-19 cases even since Sunday last, Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats said: “The country is in the middle of a very serious phase of the battle against the pandemic. Today’s figures are […]

The complete absence of safeguards on international travel is extraordinary given the rising levels of the virus, according to Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats. Raising the issue with the Taoiseach in the Dáil today, Deputy Shortall said: “On a day when the entire country enters into Level 3 restrictions due to increasing […]

The Government must work constructively with the health authorities and across the political system to get the country back on track in suppressing Covid-19, according to the Social Democrats. Co-leader Róisín Shortall TD said: “Yesterday was a bad day for the country. In the midst of a growing pandemic, it is very unfortunate that we […]

The Social Democrats called on the Taoiseach and Government to spell out clearly what measures they will take and which they want people to take to reduce the spread of the Covid-19 virus across the country, now that the whole country is to move to Level 3. Róisín Shortall TD, Social Democrats co-leader, said: “The […]

Government need to put in place supports for society and the economy Social Democrats Co-Leaders Catherine Murphy and Róisín Shortall wrote to the Taoiseach this afternoon with 9 points which they said needed to be “urgently considered” with the aim of supporting society and the economy, and restoring hope among people. Commenting, Róisín Shortall TD […]

During today’s Dáil statements on the Winter Plan, Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, raised the glaring omission of mental health and disability services from the plan. Deputy Shortall said: “Disgracefully, the Winter Plan has conspicuously omitted any provision for mental health or disability services over the coming months. “Mental health services were […]