News

As recently as last month the Vatican stated the Catholic Church cannot bless same-sex unions as God “cannot bless sin” It is wrong for religious ethos to influence the content of relationships and sexuality education, according Social Democrats Education Spokesperson Gary Gannon, who was commenting on the publication of a new sexual education programme developed […]

Reacting to the destructive weekend fires in Killarney National Park, Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns has called on the Minister for Agriculture to ensure the sustainable protection of uplands in ongoing CAP reform negotiations. Holly, who is the party’s spokesperson on Agriculture, said: “Although the devastating fire in Killarney is the most prominent one, there […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has described the weekend’s devastating fires at Killarney National Park as nothing short of ecocide and called for tougher penalties for those responsible. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson for Climate Action and Biodiversity, said: “It is heartbreaking to witness the needless destruction of our natural environment, be it […]

Future generations will wonder why, when vaccines for covid had been developed, did Western governments facilitate the deaths of so many people in developing countries. Ireland and the international community need to assist India with vital supplies of medicine and oxygen to prevent an unfolding human tragedy, according to Social Democrats TD, and Foreign Affairs […]

– TDs from all sides of the House need to scrutinise any deal’ Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns has accused the Minister for Agriculture of negotiating with the European Commission on CAP reform without proper Dáil oversight or input from Irish farming organisations. Holly said: “We have a right to know that our food is […]

Serial testing, antigen testing and rapid test-and-trace must be utilised to the greatest extent possible Social Democrats co-leader, and Kildare North TD, Catherine Murphy has expressed concern at reports of an outbreak of 70 covid cases at the Intel site in Leixlip. Deputy Murphy said: “I have been assured the company is working with public […]

– Government needs to address impacts of ‘draconian, callous’ system Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns says that families living in direct provision will be left in limbo for years before the system is abolished. Speaking in the Dáil today, Holly said: “Over the past 20 years, 60,000 people have spent time in direct provision. Over […]

Children who were displaced by the fire at the Moria refugee camp in Greece are in a race against time to be relocated to Ireland, Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has warned. Speaking in the Dáil today, Deputy Whitmore urged the Taoiseach to find an urgent solution to the humanitarian crisis and called on the […]

Unless the Minister acts now, the Shannon LNG terminal could get planning permission   The government is talking out of both sides of its mouth when it comes to its commitments on climate change, according to Social Democrats TD, and Climate Spokesperson, Jennifer Whitmore. “The Minister for Climate, and Green Party leader, Eamon Ryan has […]

There are just two public toilets in Dublin city centre – this is clearly an untenable situation for the summer months The OPW should open its public buildings to increase the provision of restroom facilities in Dublin city centre, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon TD. Deputy Gannon stated: “The inadequate provision of public […]

– Only three dedicated HSE hospital beds for people with eating disorders – Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns has called for dedicated eating disorder teams to be deployed to every Community Healthcare Organisation area in the country. Speaking in the Dáil today, she also called for ringfenced annual funding to be allocated to provide adequate […]

Any prospect of the proposed salary increase being backdated should also be discounted immediately The incoming permanent Secretary General of the Department of Health, Robert Watt, should permanently waive the €81,000 pay increase that accompanies his new job, according to Social Democrats co-leader, and PAC Vice Chair, Catherine Murphy. “I welcome the decision of Mr […]

Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns has called for the immediate rollout of a nationwide plan that would allow accompanying partners to attend maternity hospitals at all stages of pregnancy and labour. She made her comments following the launch of a new visitor scheduling app at Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH), which has allowed for an […]

Responding to Minister Darragh O’Brien’s announcement that the Homelessness Taskforce is meeting to discuss the formation of a new Youth Homelessness Strategy, Social Democrats Housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan said: “A target must be set for the elimination of youth homelessness and for every effort to be made to ensure that the strategy meets the needs […]