Government shows breath-taking complacency over climate change targets

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. “It is totally shocking that the government is presiding over a situation where our carbon emissions are actually going […]

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Assurances needed over abortion services in religious run hospitals

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has said the Minister for Health must provide clear assures that all publicly funded hospitals – including those connected to religious orders – will provide all legal healthcare services, including abortion services. “The Minister for Health needs to scotch any suggestions that patients will be denied vital services that […]

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Report on Banking Culture Proves Need for Alternative Model

Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy said that yesterday’s Central Bank Report is a damning indictment of the banking culture in Ireland and gives lie to the Government announcement earlier this month that there is ‘no compelling case’ for a public banking model. “The creation of a publicly owned community banking system – such as operates […]

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Digital apprenticeships could be powerful driver of inclusive prosperity

Social Democrats’ Spokesperson on Education Equality and Access, Cllr Gary Gannon, has said a large scale digital vocational training programme aimed at the unemployed and underemployed could be a powerful driver of inclusive prosperity. “Partnering with the big technology companies to implement a digital apprenticeship scheme would be game changing for Ireland’s economic prospects. It […]

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Minister for Health must come clean over Sláintecare health plan

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has said the Minister for Health must come clean about the government’s commitment to the Sláintecare health reform plan which has cross-party support. The Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance need to accept that the reform programme will need a dedicated funding stream of its own, and if they […]

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Fresh faces: See our local election candidates

Here are just some of our people who’ll be seeking your support at the local council elections in May 2019. They are a great bunch of civic minded activists who have been campaigning hard to improve their communities and the environment. You can read more about our candidates in our People section.  

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Cllr June Murphy is SocDems’ Dáil candidate for Cork East

The Social Democrats are pleased to announce Councillor June Murphy as the party’s candidate to contest the next General Election in Cork East. June is an energetic and committed local campaigner for better mental health services, improved supports for suicide prevention, domestic violence and sexual abuse, and the needs of children with physical or intellectual […]

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UK Brexit White Paper lays foundation but pitfalls remain

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has said the publication by the UK Government of its Brexit White Paper lays a foundation for its position – but cautioned that a number of potential pitfalls will need to be addressed as soon as possible. “From a first reading of the White Paper, there are elements that […]

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