News

Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan has expressed frustration after the Minister for Housing was again unable to provide clear answers as to why homeless people are still being turned away from emergency accommodation. Speaking after tackling Minister O’Brien on the issue in the Dáil today, Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s Housing spokesperson, commented: “Minister […]

Social Democrats spokesperson for Climate Action and Biodiversity, Jennifer Whitmore TD, has asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to ensure that all hares netted for coursing purposes in December will be released back into the wild. In response to a parliamentary question from Deputy Whitmore, Minister Darragh O’Brien said it was his […]

There is broad public acceptance that enforceable quarantine measures are required to keep other variants of Covid-19 out of the country, according to Catherine Murphy TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats. Speaking in the Dáil today, Deputy Murphy told the Taoiseach that the Government seems to be operating on the working assumption that international travel […]

Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns believes that Irish citizens would overwhelmingly support a referendum to enshrine economic, social and cultural rights in the Constitution. Speaking in the Dáil today in support of the 37th Amendment of the Constitution (Economic, Social and Cultural Rights) Bill 2018, Holly said: “Economic, social and cultural rights help ensure a better […]

Reacting to today’s Government announcement on the extension of Level 5 restrictions, Gary Gannon TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Education, said: “Vague promises to reopen schools as early as possible will be of little comfort to parents and students. In the absence of an agreement with all stakeholders, the Government’s stated intention to prioritise the […]

Reacting to today’s Government announcement on the extension of Level 5 and the introduction of additional restrictions relating to travel, Róisín Shortall TD, co leader of the Social Democrats, made the following points: Disappointing that proposals fall far short of a Zero Covid or elimination strategy. There is public support for going further. We need […]

Today’s announcement in relation to travel effectively reduces the amount of time that passengers arriving from the UK have to restrict their movements for, according to Catherine Murphy TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats. Deputy Murphy said: “In a response to a parliamentary question from me on January 20, 2021, the Minister for Transport, Eamon […]

Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has said we should mark International Day of Education today by reflecting on the vital role that our schools play in society. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson for Education, said: “Covid-19 has made it clear that our schools and school community provide more than just places to learn […]

Social Democrats councillors on Dublin City Council have added their names to a cross-party statement of solidarity with Lord Mayor Hazel Chu after she was subjected to racially motivated harassment outside the Mansion House. Cllr Mary Callaghan, Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin, stated: “I would like to offer Lord Mayor Hazel Chu my strong and […]

Social Democrats TD and party spokesperson for Children, Jennifer Whitmore, has expressed concern that staff working in childcare, whose employers could be availing of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), are instead being forced to apply for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP). Deputy Whitmore said: “In a response to a parliamentary question, the Minister for Finance told me […]