News

The pandemic has decimated the aviation sector, but supports that could have been put in place to cushion the blow have not been implemented. Stobart Air ceasing operations is a devastating blow to workers and the regions it serviced, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. “The announcement by Stobart Air, that it has ceased […]

These payments are a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of people whose jobs were a casualty of the pandemic The government has reneged on a promise there would be no cliff edge when it came to the withdrawal of the PUP, according to Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall. “The government repeatedly promised there would be […]

Focused effort needed to ensure a company is found to replace Teva in the Baldoyle Industrial Estate  The closure of Teva Pharmaceuticals, with the loss of 100 jobs, in Baldoyle is the second major jobs blow to the area in less than five months, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. “Sudocream has been produced […]

Any prospect of the proposed salary increase being backdated should also be discounted immediately The incoming permanent Secretary General of the Department of Health, Robert Watt, should permanently waive the €81,000 pay increase that accompanies his new job, according to Social Democrats co-leader, and PAC Vice Chair, Catherine Murphy. “I welcome the decision of Mr […]

The current state of Irish banking is a consumer nightmare Competition in the Irish banking market will soon be almost non-existent, according to Social Democrats co-leader, and Finance Spokesperson, Róisín Shortall. “KBC has today confirmed its intention to quit the Irish market. This news will be a source of great alarm to both its staff […]

Our economic recovery must not be a two-tier recovery, in which those most impacted by the pandemic are left behind.  Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall has said the finding of the Stability Programme Update – that Ireland’s economic recovery is contingent on the successful rollout of the vaccination programme – is a reminder that vaccines […]

Social Democrats co-leader, and PAC Vice Chairperson, Catherine Murphy TD has queried whether the imminent appointment of Robert Watt, as permanent Secretary General of the Department of Health on a salary of €292,000, was always a fait accompli. “Taoiseach Micheál Martin personally asked Mr Watt to transfer from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform […]

In the wake of the Paradise Papers revelations about global tax avoidance, Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD criticised the government’s role in facilitating massive tax breaks for Apple. Speaking during Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil today, Deputy Shortall said: “The theme running though the Paradise Papers is the relentless quest of the wealthy and […]

The Social Democrats have said white-collar crime reforms announced today by the government are welcome and long-overdue but lack critical detail and continue the fragmented approach to tackling corruption in all its forms. The party’s joint leader Catherine Murphy TD said: “Several of the new measures are welcome and long-overdue, especially the proposed overhaul of […]

Speaking at the All Ireland Civic Dialogue in Dublin, Social Democrats representative for Castleknock and Blanchardstown Aengus Ó Maoláin said that it is time for Ireland to stop coping with the fallout from Brexit, and start planning to maximise the opportunities presented by the UK’s departure from the EU. “The decision by the UK to […]