News

The Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy is seriously failing homeless families, Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy TD has said. Deputy Murphy was speaking after the release today of Department of Housing figures which show that the number of families living in emergency accommodation increased by 222 from January to February of this year. The figures […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has expressed incredulity at the findings of the review into the Department of Justice’s failure to forward key documents to the Charleton Tribunal. Deputy Shortall said: “The review carried out by Senior Counsel Michael Collins shows an alarming degree of incompetence and laxity within the Department in its handling […]

Commenting on the government’s decision to expel a Russian diplomat today, Social Democrats’ co-leader Róisín Shortall TD said: “This decision is a very significant foreign policy development, particularly given the fact of Irish neutrality. Such actions should always be carried out first foremost in the national interest and be underpinned by solid security analysis. “It […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD today rebuked the Taoiseach for continuing to deny promised rights to people with disabilities. Deputy Shortall made her comments after the Taoiseach refused, in response to her questions in the Dáil, to commit to the immediate implementation of a crucial part of the UN Convention on the Rights of […]

The Social Democrats have called on the Tánaiste to rethink his proposal for a two-thirds majority lock in any law that would follow a repeal of the Eighth Amendment. The party’s co-leader Catherine Murphy TD said today: “I very much welcome the fact that Mr Coveney has reconsidered his position on the abortion issue in […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD today accused the Attorney General of inappropriate and gross interference in legislative and judicial matters that he has no place commenting on. The Dublin north west TD said: “The job of the chief law officer of the state is to advise the government – not to weigh in with […]

The Social Democrats have accused Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil of two-facedness over the refusal of both parties to disclose the amount they are spending on Facebook advertising. The party’s co-leader Róisín Shortall TD said today: “Given the backdrop of the Cambridge Analytica scandal and the furore over the Strategic Communications Unit, it is inexcusable […]

Ronan Moore, the Social Democrats’ general election candidate for Meath West, has welcomed the Department of Education’s announcement last night that it will reverse a decision to cap enrolments on five Educate Together schools in Trim, Tuam, New Ross, Tramore and Castlebar. The Department had earlier this year instructed these five schools to cap intake […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has called on Transport Infrastructure Ireland to make a commitment to engage with public representatives and Na Fianna personnel to find alternatives to the use of the Glasnevin club’s GAA pitches for the new MetroLink route. The Dublin North West TD said: “The planned use of Na Fianna’s grounds […]

Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has branded as ‘disgraceful’ a response from the Minister of State with responsibility for Disability issues, Finian McGrath where he admits he has no plan or timeframe for the enactment of a key component of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Deputy Shortall […]