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Commenting on the Government’s confirmation of arrangements for this year’s Leaving Certificate examinations, Social Democrats spokesperson for Education, Gary Gannon TD, said: “The Government has failed this cohort of Leaving Certificate students who have endured high levels of stress and anxiety due to all the uncertainty surrounding this year’s exams. I welcome that the Minister […]

The Social Democrats have written to the Office of the Data Protection Commission requesting that they examine the destruction of survivors’ recorded testimonies by the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes. Jennifer Whitmore TD, who is the party’s spokesperson for Children, said: “The simple fact is that 550 testimonies have been destroyed. While […]

In the Dáil today, Social Democrats TD for Dublin Bay North, Cian O’Callaghan, called on the Taoiseach to intervene in resolving the delay in starting the Stardust Inquest. Deputy O’Callaghan asked if the Minister for Justice would meet with the families’ legal representative to resolve the issue of funding so that the inquest can begin. […]

Social Democrats Housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan TD has called for the Land Development Agency Bill to be amended so that 100% of the homes built on public land are affordable or social. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “If the Minister for Housing is committed to providing affordable homes for first-time buyers, he would ensure that 100% of […]

The Social Democrats have this week submitted a Dáil motion calling for CETA and the Investor Court System to be scrutinised by all relevant Oireachtas committees, not just one. The motion states that given the breadth and scope of CETA, there are potential implications for various issues, including workers’ rights, labour standards, food safety, agriculture […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore says it is baffling that the Minister for Children has refused to extend the term of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes to allow for a full investigation into the deletion of survivors’ recorded testimonies. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson for Children, had proposed a […]

Social Democrats Housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan TD has expressed serious concerns about the Land Development Bill which will be debated in the Dáil tomorrow. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “The Land Development Agency Bill will facilitate the privatisation of public land through the back door. This will drive up the cost of homes built on public land. […]

Amid expectations that the Cabinet will sign off on a dual approach to the Leaving Certificate this week, Social Democrats Education spokesperson Gary Gannon TD has called for clarity, communication and contingency for any assessment plans. Commenting today, Deputy Gannon said: “Leaving Certificate students have made their voices heard in terms of what they want […]

The Social Democrats Housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan TD has urged the Minister for Housing to rethink and redesign his affordable housing plans, in particular the shared equity loans. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “The experts are now lining up to tell the Minister for Housing that some of his affordable housing plans will actually make housing more […]

Social Democrats spokesperson for Education, Gary Gannon TD, has called on the Government to immediately set up a taskforce dedicated to dealing with the trauma faced by young people due to Covid-19. Deputy Gannon stated: “The effects of Covid-19 are insidious and could have longstanding consequences for our young people into the future if we […]

Social Democrats spokesperson for Children, Jennifer Whitmore TD, has called on the HSE to engage with child experts to put in place a child-centred Assessment of Needs process. Deputy Whitmore was commenting on the findings of a survey carried out by the Psychological Society of Ireland of its members on the Assessment of Needs (AON) […]

The Social Democrats have submitted a Bill to extend the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes by another year. Jennifer Whitmore TD, the party’s spokesperson for Children, said: “We are hoping to publish this Bill in response to discovering that audio recordings of all 550 witnesses interviewed as part of the Commission of […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called for the Climate Action Bill to be introduced in the Dáil without delay. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson for Climate Action and Biodiversity, said: “It is now four and a half months since the Bill was first published and it still has not been introduced in […]

– EU Affairs Committee alone will not guarantee the ‘vigorous scrutiny’ required Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has said that the Dáil must ensure proper scrutiny of the Investor Court System elements of CETA before any vote or final decision is taken. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Climate Action and Biodiversity, said: “The full […]