News

Reacting to today’s announcement of renewed restrictions, Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, said: “Today’s news will come as a bitter blow to the hospitality industry and other businesses affected by the renewed restrictions and the very many workers who will be laid off. It will also be met with disappointment by families […]

Following news of the new strain of Covid-19 which has appeared in Britain, Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has called for immediate and decisive action from the Government, an extension of the UK travel ban, renewed advice to the public in relation to gatherings and a clear decision on the early closure […]

With Ireland now facing the possibility of earlier restrictions to curb the recent increase in cases of Covid-19, Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has urged the Government to make any announcements as early as possible. Deputy Shortall said: “Unfortunately, all the indicators are that the case numbers are going in the wrong […]

Co-leader of the Social Democrats, Róisín Shortall TD, has raised serious concerns surrounding the awarding of a €14m contract by the HSE to an Irish company that imported ventilators from China that were unfit for use. Speaking during Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil today, Deputy Shortall said: “I accept that the Government and HSE were […]

Co-leader of the Social Democrats, Róisín Shortall TD, has today welcomed the announcement of the Covid-19 vaccination strategy, saying there is huge potential to transform the way we are living. However, given that approval from the EMA is expected within the next two weeks, she has emphasised the need for early clarification from Government on […]

Co-leader of the Social Democrats, Róisín Shortall TD, has welcomed the breakthrough on pay restoration for workers in the remaining 250 Section 39 organisations. Deputy Shortall said: “Section 39 workers do the same work as their public service counterparts and deserve equal pay. I now call on the Minister for Health to include union representatives in […]

Co-leader of the Social Democrats, Róisín Shortall TD, has asked the Government to consider moving teenagers with underlying health conditions further up the priority list when a Covid-19 vaccine becomes available. Speaking in the Dáil today, Deputy Shortall said: “Earlier this week, the Minister for Health released the first report in relation to the proposed […]

Investment in mental health services needs to be front and centre of the Government’s response to Covid-19, according to Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats. Speaking in the Dáil today, Deputy Shortall said: “Covid-19 has had an unprecedented impact on physical and mental health. At a time when demand has increased, service delivery […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has called on the Government to end the exploitation of student nurses and midwives who have been expected to fill gaps in our chronically under-funded health service during the pandemic. Speaking in support of a motion on the issue from Solidarity-People Before Profit today, Deputy Shortall said: “It should […]

The refusal of the Minister for Justice to answer questions in a normal manner about the circumstances of Seamus Woulfe’s appointment to the Supreme Court has the potential to bring both the Oireachtas and the judiciary into disrepute, according to Róisín Shortall, co-leader of the Social Democrats. Speaking in the Dáil today, Deputy Shortall said: […]

Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has described this morning’s appearance of the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NHPDB) before the Joint Health Committee as deeply unsatisfactory, with serious questions remaining about escalating costs and delays to the National Children’s Hospital project. Deputy Shortall, who is the party’s spokesperson for Health, said: “It […]

Co-leader of the Social Democrats, Róisín Shortall TD, has called on the Government to clarify if international travel has been factored into modelling for a potential increase in Covid-19 infection levels over the Christmas period. Speaking in the Dáil today, Deputy Shortall said: “In recent days the Government has announced changes to the international travel […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall has said that the Tánaiste’s action in leaking a confidential document was unworthy of his office, and his handling of the incident was unacceptable. Speaking during the confidence motion in the Dáil, Deputy Shortall said: “The situation we are dealing with here should never have arisen. The Tánaiste, while Taoiseach […]

Co-leader of the Social Democrats, Róisín Shortall TD, today called on the Taoiseach to undertake an immediate review of the code of conduct for office holders in the wake of the Tánaiste’s admission that he leaked a confidential agreement between the Government and the IMO in 2019. Deputy Shortall said: “This episode has been very […]