News

Oral health has been completely neglected by the Minister since he took office The Government is continuing to sleepwalk through a crisis in dental healthcare, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “Oral health has been completely neglected by the Minister for Health since he took office. At a time when the Minister should […]

Even though Quinn Insurance is now legally defunct, its toxic legacy persists It is unacceptable that details of the €100 million cost of the administration of Quinn Insurance have not been published, according to Social Democrats Finance Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “The collapse of Quinn Insurance cost the State in excess of €1 billion at a […]

Government must demand scrutiny of supermarkets’ accounts at this week’s Retail Forum meeting The Government must force the major supermarket chains to come clean about the profits they are making off the backs of struggling consumers, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “Tomorrow’s meeting of the Retail Forum needs to be much more than […]

Putting games behind a paywall is a slap in the face for GAA’s dedicated volunteers and supporters There must be full transparency behind the process for selecting GAA games for pay-per-view, according to Social Democrats sports spokesperson Gary Gannon. “There is growing disquiet over high-profile games – such as last weekend’s Munster Senior Hurling Championship […]

Lack of funding has thrown pay deal into disarray  Serious questions must be asked about why the HSE has reneged on a deal to increase payments to home care providers and protect service provision, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “The HSE is currently attempting to redesign work patterns across the health service […]

Survey highlights long waiting lists and raises questions about standard of mental health services for children and adolescents Today’s report from the Ombudsman for Children paints a worrying picture of mental health services for children and teenagers in Ireland, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Children, […]

Lack of Government action on transport schemes is making everyday life harder for disabled people in Ireland Disabled people are being excluded from everyday life in Ireland because of the lack of suitable transport, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s spokesperson on Disability, said: “For people with a […]

Report of the Joint Committee on International Surrogacy to be debated in the Dáil today  The Government must expedite legislation to end the legal limbo faced by couples and individuals who enter into international surrogacy, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who chaired the Joint Committee on International Surrogacy, will introduce the […]

Government continues to prop up an industry that is in terminal decline  Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has renewed her call for State funding to the greyhound industry to be phased out after the Government received a detailed report on how revenues from the betting tax are spent. “The report, which was compiled on behalf […]

Young farmers are an endangered species – we need urgent action  The government needs to take the issues facing rural Ireland seriously and provide sufficient and sustainable funding to help farmers overcome the climate crisis, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns was commenting after meeting members of Macra na Feirme, who gathered […]

TDs urged to support Gary Gannon’s amendment to Government motion today The proposed deployment of an Irish Naval Service vessel to the Mediterranean as part of an EU mission must prioritise providing assistance to persons in distress at sea, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on Defence, […]

Questions must be asked about the extent of the price gouging in Ireland The Taoiseach must clarify if he met with energy companies and asked them to reduce prices for consumers, according to Social Democrats Energy Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “In February, I urged the Taoiseach to deliver on his promise to meet with energy companies […]

Oireachtas Health Committee is the most appropriate forum to analyse review group’s report on abortion services Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has described comments by the Taoiseach on the review group’s report on abortion services as deeply unhelpful. “The health and wellbeing of women must be front and centre of any recommendations to make legislative […]

State’s law and order response to drug addiction has been a catastrophic failure Solutions to crime can only be found if the Government tackles the underlying causes of poverty and deprivation, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who represents Dublin Central, made his comments as statements on organised crime were heard in […]