News

The Social Democrats have renewed their calls for the establishment of a Commission on the Future of Media in Ireland and warned the need for such a Commission is more pressing than ever not least because of today’s Reporters Without Borders report showing that Ireland has slipped two places into 16th place in a worldwide […]

Social Democrats Political Director Anne-Marie McNally has said that today’s Youth Work Ireland report showing that youngsters increasingly turn to the internet rather than parents or teachers shows how important it is for us to radically overhaul how we, as a society, talk about sex. Ms McNally said: “Yet again we are faced with stark […]

The Social Democrats today said the forthcoming review of the relationship and sexuality curriculum in schools must also lead to the introduction of support programmes for parents and guardians. Welcoming the announcement that a review of the curriculum is to be carried out, the party’s political director Anne-Marie McNally said: “Relationship and sexuality education in […]

The Social Democrats have called upon the Minister for Communications to ensure that contingency plans are in place to deal with any potential natural gas shortages amid supply concerns in the UK which also supplies gas to Ireland. The party’s political director Anne-Marie McNally said: “The National Grid in the UK has warned it may […]

Social Democrats Political Director Anne-Marie McNally has welcomed today’s decision by the Minister for Social Protection to double the payment of fuel allowance to 331,000 people this week. Ms McNally said: “With the onset of snow overnight and further exceptionally cold weather forecast over the coming days, the doubling of the fuel allowance will give […]

The Social Democrats Political Director Anne-Marie McNally has hit out at what she has said are disturbing violent images of children being used outside Leinster House by members of Anti-Choice lobby groups. Ms McNally said it was profoundly unfair that Leinster House staff have to face such disturbing images while going about the course of […]

Social Democrats Political Director Anne-Marie McNally has said she is outraged but not surprised at reports today that maternal health services in Ireland are so sorely lacking in resources that many pregnant people are being denied basic scans in pregnancy that can ensure safe maternal care, healthy pregnancies where possible and allow for parents to […]

Anne-Marie McNally, the Political Director of the Social Democrats, has expressed concern at the connection of Independent News and Media to a major public event on freedom of speech and the conflicts between journalism and the law. Ms McNally questioned the professional judgement of both Trinity College Dublin and Columbia University in choosing to partner […]

Anne-Marie McNally, the Social Democrats spokesperson on Society and Citizenship, has today called on the government to put its money where its mouth is when it comes to the proposed new secondary school subject, Politics and Society. Ms McNally said this module has the potential to deliver something that has been sorely lacking from the […]

A new International Civil Service Effectiveness Index, launched today (see link here), has highlighted several deficiencies in the Irish Civil Service. Comparing the Civil Service of 31 countries, Ireland comes in 6th last. Ireland scored high in Human Resource Management and Tax Administration but low in terms of regulation, risk management, social security administration and openness. Róisín Shortall […]

The Social Democrats have welcomed action by competition authorities into alleged price fixing in the motor insurance industry. The party’s Dublin Mid-West local area representative Anne Marie was speaking following reports that competition enforcement officials today carried out office raids as part of a probe into possible cartel activity in the insurance industry. Ms McNally […]