News

It is time for the Taoiseach to intervene with the pharmaceutical companies that are holding propriety rights over a critical reagent used in the test for Covid-19, according to Róisín Shortall, TD and co-leader of the Social Democrats. Calling on the Taoiseach in the Dáil today, she said, “There is a logjam caused at the […]

Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has urged Minister Heather Humphries to ensure Debenhams do not appoint a liquidator until the Covid-19 crisis has passed and the, almost 2,000, workers in Irish stores are afforded the opportunity for a full industrial relations process, which is not possible under current conditions. Mr Gannon pointed out that these […]

The Social Democrats have called for the Minister for Health to provide full information to the public on the situation in nursing homes in respect of Covid-19. In the absence of this information there is growing public concern about how this important sector of the health service is responding to the health crisis. Making the […]

There is a need for clarity from the Government to fully explain the reason behind the long delays in testing for Covid 19 in order to respond effectively to this health crisis and to maintain public confidence in the ‘Test and Trace’ strategy, according to Róisín Shortall TD, Social Democrats Co-leader. Deputy Shortall said: “While […]

The particular challenges presented for students in the higher and further education sectors are highlighted by a call for a ‘No Detriment’ policy for third level education, which is supported by the Social Democrats. Gary Gannon TD, Social Democrats spokesperson on Education said: “We strongly support a ‘No Detriment’ or ‘Help, Not Hinder’ approach for […]

Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy has reacted angrily today to news that tax exiles will be given a special dispensation allowing them to circumvent the current Revenue tax residency rules whilst still avoiding pay taxes. Catherine Murphy questioned what had prompted this unusual decision by Revenue and who signed off on it. She also pointed […]

Social Democrats co-leader Roisin Shortall TD has called on the Taoiseach to urgently establish a Forum to pursue all possible avenues for the provision of medical supplies for responding to the Covid 19 crisis. Such a Forum would be charged with bringing together representatives of manufacturers, innovators, medical scientists, the academic community and enterprise in […]

The Social Democrats have tabled a number of amendments to the emergency Covid-19 legislation going through the Dáil today. In addition to formal amendments, the party has also submitted a number of proposals on issues which need to be considered in the context of this Bill and other future measures to address the evolving crisis. […]

The Social Democrats have repeated their calls for the introduction of a wage subsidy during the current Covid-19 crisis. The party says that such a move is vital in order to keep people connected to employment, maintain reasonable incomes and keep businesses afloat. The party’s finance spokesperson, co-leader Róisín Shortall said: “The scale of job […]

The Social Democrats have said that they stand fully behind the advice of the public health officials dealing with Covid-19 and wider Coronavirus issue.  Party co-leader Róisín Shortall attended today’s opposition briefing and said the only responsible thing to do in such a situation is to employ an evidence-based approach based on best international medical advice […]