News

– Party co-leaders Catherine Murphy TD and Róisín Shortall TD set out ambition to make their social democratic vision a reality at fourth annual conference Social Democrats co-leaders Catherine Murphy TD and Róisín Shortall TD today set out their vision for the party and Irish society, stating that their aim is to be the party […]

Following the Taoiseach’s announcement of the Government’s revised Living with Covid plan, Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has asked for the Government to clarify the exact steps it will take between now and April 5th to bring down case numbers and the targets that it is working towards. Deputy Shortall commented: “This latest plan takes […]

Speaking ahead of the Government announcement tomorrow of the latest version of Living with Covid, Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has called on the Taoiseach to take a new approach with a new strategy. Deputy Shortall commented: “People need to be given hope – there needs to be light at the end of […]

Commenting on the decision by Natwest to withdraw Ulster Bank from Ireland, Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD said: “The outcome will have grave and serious implications and it represents very bad news for customers, staff and banking in Ireland. The news will be of huge concern to the bank’s one million customers, causing uncertainty about their banking needs. […]

Speaking out in favour of tighter monitoring of international travel, Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has called on the Taoiseach to assign responsibility for travel and quarantining to a different Minister. Deputy Shortall, who is raising the issue in the Dáil today, commented: “As it stands, the Minister for Health is dealing […]

Speaking after today’s Health Committee session on Covid-19 in nursing homes, Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, expressed her serious concern and disappointment that so little has changed since the first wave of the pandemic. Deputy Shortall commented: “It is shocking that we are now seeing a second tragic wave of Covid-19 in […]

Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has welcomed today’s news that the European Medicines Agency has recommended the AstraZeneca vaccine for authorisation in the EU. Deputy Shortall commented: “Today’s news that the EMA has approved the AstraZeneca vaccine will come as a relief, especially to older people. “It is regrettable that, at this […]

Reacting to today’s Government announcement on the extension of Level 5 and the introduction of additional restrictions relating to travel, Róisín Shortall TD, co leader of the Social Democrats, made the following points: Disappointing that proposals fall far short of a Zero Covid or elimination strategy. There is public support for going further. We need […]

Following today’s publication of NPHET’s latest letter to the Government, Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has repeated her call for the implementation of stricter rules on international travel. Deputy Shortall said: “NPHET today, in its most severe warning to date, has made it very clear that the recent measures introduced by Government, […]

Co-leader of the Social Democrats, Róisín Shortall TD, has called on the Government to aim for a safe level of daily Covid-19 cases before making a decision to lift current restrictions. Speaking in the Dáil today, Deputy Shortall said: “We now have record daily case numbers and I think it is important for the Government […]

Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has expressed concern that the HSE is not adequately prepared to ensure sufficient staff are in place to administer Covid-19 vaccinations. Deputy Shortall said: “The Minister for Health urgently needs to provide clarity about who will be administering the vaccines, the staff numbers required and where the […]

Responding to today’s Government announcement of additional Covid-19 restrictions, Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, commented: “The absence of measures to mitigate the risks posed by international travel continues to be a key weakness in the Government’s response to the pandemic. “Minister Eamon Ryan needs to explain why the UK and South Africa […]

Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has today called on Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly to clarify vital details of the vaccination programme for Covid-19. She asked the Minister to provide clarity in relation to the expected phasing of the delivery of the vaccine and the schedule to which he is working, as well […]

Commenting on the return to full Level 5 restrictions, Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, said: “Yet again, due to the absence of a coherent strategy to suppress the virus, the country is entering another complete lockdown. This course of action has been inevitable for some time and is now necessary in order […]