News

Work to provide safe and legal abortion access in Ireland must continue The 10th anniversary of Savita Halappanavar’s death should allow us to reflect on the progress we have made in the reform of our abortion laws, but also on the shortcomings of the legislation as it stands, according to Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns. Paying […]

Government inaction will condemn O’Connell Street to an even bleaker future  Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has called on Leo Varadkar to make the rejuvenation of O’Connell Street a priority when he takes over as Taoiseach later this year. Deputy Gannon, who represents Dublin Central, said: “Last week, the Taoiseach refused to commit to the […]

At what stage in this process will the penny finally drop for the Minister that this legislation is not fit for purpose?  Government TDs should be allowed a vote of conscience on a controversial Bill giving effect to the redress scheme for survivors of mother and baby homes, according to Holly Cairns of the Social […]

Unacceptable that low interest loan guarantee scheme for households now pushed out to 2023 The Government needs to immediately clarify how targets set for the National Retrofitting Scheme will be achieved, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Climate and Biodiversity, also expressed concern that a low […]

Principals and special education teachers are not qualified to diagnose disabilities or specific learning disabilitiesThe Minister for Education must confirm whether legal responsibility for assessing the educational needs, of children with additional needs, is being transferred to school principals, according to Social Democrats Education Spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon was speaking after schools received an “information […]

Comprehensive transport plan also needed to ensure success of extended nightclub hours The long overdue reform of licencing laws will help protect livelihoods and provide a welcome boost for the night-time economy, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s Arts spokesperson, said: “Businesses dependent on late-night trade have struggled […]

Four years after the repeal of the Eighth Amendment, women’s reproductive healthcare is still not a priority for this Government The Minister for Health must urgently intervene to ensure that every maternity hospital in the State offers access to all legal healthcare options to women seeking abortions, according to Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns. Deputy […]

The independence, mental health and employment prospects of disabled people is being limited, and in some cases completely erased Almost 10 years after the closure of two vital mobility schemes, the State is continuing to fail disabled people, according to Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s spokesperson on Disability, said: […]

The Government’s cowardly actions will not be forgiven and will serve as a shameful legacy of its term in office The Government’s decision not to oppose the Social Democrats’ private members’ motion on mother and baby homes today has been described by Holly Cairns TD as cynical and cowardly. Deputy Cairns, who introduced the motion […]

Lack of leadership responsible for decline of Dublin city  Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has called for statements to be made in the Dáil following the RTÉ Prime Time special on Dublin’s O’Connell Street last night. Deputy Gannon, who represents Dublin Central, said: “The deeply unflattering depiction of our capital’s main thoroughfare in the report […]

Government redress scheme fails to recognise human rights abuses The Social Democrats will bring a private members’ motion before the Dáil tomorrow (Wednesday, October 19), calling for real justice for the survivors of mother and baby homes and a redress scheme that is fit for purpose. The motion asks Dáil Eireann to recognise the grave […]

This unprecedented delay has caused a lot of worry and upset among students an their families Education Minister Norma Foley owes an apology to Junior Cert student for the unprecedented delay in releasing the Junior Cert results, according to Social Democrats Education Spokesperson Gary Gannon. “This morning, the State Examinations Commission announced that Junior Cert […]

Scarring effects of living in persistent poverty as a child can be lifelong The Government must immediately outline how it intends to end the scandal of child poverty in Ireland, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs, made her comments to mark the […]

HSE figures show that the number of dentists participating in the scheme has dropped by over a third in five years The exodus of dentists from the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) requires an immediate intervention from the Minister for Health, according to Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD. HSE figures obtained by Deputy Shortall […]