News

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD today called on the Minister for Health to intervene to compel the HSE to release smear slides to women affected by the CervicalCheck controversy so they can be independently reviewed. “In our recent Alternative Budget we proposed that the Government set aside funding for a deposit and return scheme […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD today described as inexcusable the Taoiseach’s refusal to give a commitment to bring any future agreement about the new National Maternity Hospital before the Dáil in advance of it being signed off. “There is grave concern, especially among women, about the fact that it is proposed to transfer ownership […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has taken the government to task for failing to deliver effective corruption law reforms despite repeated promises and re-hashed plans. “The Social Democrats have long recognised the need for a more coordinated approach to tackling corruption and corporate crime. As far back as November 2015, we proposed the creation […]

Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy has lodged an official complaint with the Ceann Comhairle’s office following a refusal by Minister Pat Breen’s office to answer, in the specified timeframe, a parliamentary question she had asked regarding his engagements with Mr David McCourt and bidders in the National Broadband Plan process. “It is exceptionally unusual for […]

The Social Democrats today called for a Yes vote in next week’s referendum to remove the offence of blasphemy from the Constitution on the grounds that it is outdated, obsolete and unnecessary. “The removal of the offence of blasphemy is yet one more step along the way to the full separation of Church and State.” […]

Deputy Róisín Shortall, co-leader of the Social Democrats today hit out at Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy for the fact that over 300 cases with An Bord Pleanála are awaiting a decision for more than six months. “Minister for Health Simon Harris must make it a top priority for the HSE to agree this important protocol […]

Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy has received a parliamentary reply showing that the former Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan, met with representatives of Enet including PR advisor to Enet, Eoin O’Neachtain, in December 2016, to discuss Enet’s management of the Municipal Area Networks (MANs) just 3 months before former Minister for Communications Denis Naughten made […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD today called on the Minister for Health to intervene to compel the HSE to release smear slides to women affected by the CervicalCheck controversy so they can be independently reviewed. “The favourable tax treatment that the government offers international investment funds is squeezing first time buyers out of the […]

Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy has asked the Taoiseach a number of questions regarding the review into the National Broadband Plan being undertaken by Mr Peter Smith. “I am determined to ask the relevant questions now before it’s too late or we risk finding ourselves back in another costly Tribunal or Inquiry.” Social Democrats TD […]

The Social Democrats’ Political Director and Spokesperson on Consumer Affairs, Anne Marie McNally, called today for the government to urgently clarify the law so that landlords are banned from charging viewing fees for rental properties. “Charging viewing fees for rental properties is outrageous and exploitative. It piles more pressure on struggling renters who are increasingly […]