News

Health Committee backs Deputy Shortall’s proposal to follow WHO policy in respect of the availability of contraception The Minister for Health should mark International Women’s Day by allowing pharmacists to dispense prescription-free oral contraceptives, according to Social Democrats TD Róisín Shortall. “At today’s Oireachtas Health Committee, representatives of the Irish Pharmacy Union made a compelling […]

The Social Democrats have welcomed the co-option of Alan Curran to Galway City Council. Alan has been a member of the Galway branch of the Social Democrats since 2018 and is the co-author of the party’s cycling policy. Holly Cairns TD, leader of the Social Democrats, said: “I would like to congratulate Alan on his […]

Delay is especially reprehensible in light of the vulnerability of those children and adults requiring psychological services  The Minister for Health is continuing to drag his feet on the long overdue regulation of psychologists, according to Holly Cairns, leader of the Social Democrats. Deputy Cairns, who is a member of the Joint Committee on Children, […]

Timeline will be crucial in tackling the safety threat posed by illegal drone usage  The Government must act urgently to mitigate the risk posed by drones to aircraft passengers and residents living in the vicinity of Dublin Airport, according to Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy. Deputy Murphy, who is the party’s Transport spokesperson, said: “The […]

HSE report reveals 700 vacancies across 91 Children’s Disability Network Teams  Disability services for children continue to be severely impacted by the HSE’s failure to get to grips with the serious recruitment crisis within the sector, according to Holly Cairns, leader of the Social Democrats. Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s spokesperson on Disability, said: […]

Putin’s despotic behaviour shows that we can no longer take peace for granted in Europe  Ireland must continue to offer unwavering support to those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, according to Catherine Murphy, co-leader of the Social Democrats. Deputy Murphy, who will speak at today’s rally at the GPO in Dublin to mark the first […]

There are now more than 671,000 people living in poverty – over 188,000 of them children The sharp rise in the number of people living in poverty in Ireland highlights the increasing level of income inequality in this country, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. The at risk of poverty rate, as measured by […]

Róisín Shortall and Catherine Murphy have issued a joint statement following yesterday’s announcement that they are to step aside as co-leaders of the Social Democrats. The party’s National Executive will meet this evening (Thursday, February 23) to make arrangements for the election of a new leader. Both Catherine and Róisín fully intend to remain active […]

Government has failed to deliver on commitment in Energy Poverty Action Plan Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore will introduce a Bill tomorrow (Tuesday, February 21) proposing new legislation to protect financially vulnerable customers from energy disconnections. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Energy, said: “The Government’s new Energy Poverty Action Plan, published last […]

Whitmore hosts special briefing on how current drugs reimbursement scheme is failing women instead of helping them Women suffering from hyperemesis during pregnancy must not be abandoned by our health service, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore hosted a special briefing in Leinster House this week to highlight how the current reimbursement […]

Consumers and businesses continue to struggle while energy companies profiteer from war A targeted energy price cap must be introduced to reduce spiralling energy costs and provide security to businesses and households, according to Social Democrats Energy spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore was commenting as the Social Democrats prepare to bring a Private Members’ Motion […]

Karl Stanley to be appointed substitute councillor for next six months Social Democrats councillor Catherine Stocker is to become the first public representative to assign a temporary substitute to her seat while she takes maternity leave under new legislation aimed at elected members of local authorities. Cllr Stocker, who represents the North Central Area on […]

Yet the State has made no real effort to pursue religious orders The Government is refusing to expand its mother and baby homes redress scheme for purely financial reasons while making no real effort to pursue religious orders for a contribution, according to Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s spokesperson […]

Highly vulnerable women are attending emergency departments to beg for Cariban prescriptions from consultants Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called on the Government to make Cariban – a medication used for treating hyperemesis during pregnancy – more accessible. “Cariban is used to help reduce symptoms of hyperemesis in pregnancy, which include severe vomiting, fatigue […]