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The members of this Commission have steadfastly refused to appear before our Committee to answer questions The Mother and Baby Homes report has rewritten Irish history and must be repudiated by the government, according to Social Democrats TD, and Oireachtas Children’s Committee member, Holly Cairns. “Following the participation of one of the members of the […]

In this by-election, the people of Dublin Bay South can send a powerful message The Dublin Bay South by-election is about housing and the quality of all of our lives as we emerge from lockdown, according to Social Democrats candidate Sarah Durcan. “This by-election is not only a referendum on this government, but on a […]

Many of those working in the Arts are reliant on the PUP, which the government plans to cut from September Plans to introduce a basic income guarantee pilot scheme for artists are welcome – if overdue, according to Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns. “Minister for Tourism, Culture and Arts, Catherine Martin, has committed to “prioritise” […]

These payments are a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of people whose jobs were a casualty of the pandemic The government has reneged on a promise there would be no cliff edge when it came to the withdrawal of the PUP, according to Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall. “The government repeatedly promised there would be […]

We need, as a matter of urgency, to establish a public realm taskforce on Dublin City Council  Dublin City Council’s approach to an outdoor summer is akin to the promotion of abstinence as a sex education policy – it won’t work, according to Social Democrats Councillor Catherine Stocker. “We have been told, by our political […]

Encouraging the everyday use of Irish will ensure it survives as a living language Fewer than 4pc of the social media posts from most government departments are in Irish, according to Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns said: “Each government department has its own social media channels on various platforms, so one would expect […]

Is the reluctance, to offer people an alternate vaccine for their second dose, driven by supply or by science? The government should publish its supply forecasts for the coming months for each vaccine currently in use, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “Previously, the Department of Health published vaccine supply projections, which detailed […]

The range of problems facing the industry have now become a perfect storm, threatening its future viability The fishing industry is facing its biggest ever crisis, according to Social Democrats Agriculture Spokesperson Holly Cairns. “Today’s flotilla of 50 trawlers in Cork is a visual representation of the extent of the frustration felt by the fishing […]

An Bord Pleanála reached a humane decision on this sensitive matter An Bord Pleanála’s refusal to grant planning permission for a large development on the site of the Bessborough Mother and Baby Home is the correct decision, according to Social Democrats TD, and member of the Oireachtas Children’s Committee, Holly Cairns. Holly said: “I welcome […]

The housing crisis is the most important issue facing the country – and it will not be solved by Fingal County Council enriching a private developer, according to Social Democrats Councillors Joan Hopkins and Paul Mulville. “The proposal facing Fingal councillors today was a Hobson’s choice. We were asked to approve the sale of a […]

The vote to repeal the Eighth Amendment was a momentous day for women’s rights in this country – but much work remains to be done, according to Social Democrats Social Justice Spokesperson Holly Cairns. “Today is the third anniversary of the vote to amend the Eighth Amendment – a vote that dismantled decades of stigma, […]

Ordinarily, during a crisis, a high-level emergency task force – the National Emergence Coordination Group (NECG) – is assembled to manage the response. Where is the NECG? The cyber-attack is putting at-risk children at increased risk of abuse and neglect, according to Social Democrats Spokesperson on Children Jennifer Whitmore. “Tusla’s computer system has been completely […]

The world’s first milk bank was set up in Austria in 1909 – we are 112 years behind on this A motion calling for a variety of supports for breastfeeding mothers has been introduced in the Dáil, by Social Democrats Children Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “Tomorrow, May 19, is world human milk donation day – a […]

Six years ago, this month, the people of Ireland gave a mandate to deliver equality for LGBTI people. That work is not yet done. Ireland remains ranked at 15th this year in the annual ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map published today, which assesses the legal and policy situation for LGBTI+ people in all countries in Europe. The Map […]