News

Delay is indicative of the lack of resources invested in mental health services by this government The new National Forensic Mental Health Services Hospital, Portrane, is due open by September, Social Democrats Councillor Paul Mulville has confirmed. “Speaking in November, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said the new National Forensic Mental Health Services (NFMHS) facility in Portrane […]

As recently as last month the Vatican stated the Catholic Church cannot bless same-sex unions as God “cannot bless sin” It is wrong for religious ethos to influence the content of relationships and sexuality education, according Social Democrats Education Spokesperson Gary Gannon, who was commenting on the publication of a new sexual education programme developed […]

Reacting to the destructive weekend fires in Killarney National Park, Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns has called on the Minister for Agriculture to ensure the sustainable protection of uplands in ongoing CAP reform negotiations. Holly, who is the party’s spokesperson on Agriculture, said: “Although the devastating fire in Killarney is the most prominent one, there […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has described the weekend’s devastating fires at Killarney National Park as nothing short of ecocide and called for tougher penalties for those responsible. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson for Climate Action and Biodiversity, said: “It is heartbreaking to witness the needless destruction of our natural environment, be it […]

Future generations will wonder why, when vaccines for covid had been developed, did Western governments facilitate the deaths of so many people in developing countries. Ireland and the international community need to assist India with vital supplies of medicine and oxygen to prevent an unfolding human tragedy, according to Social Democrats TD, and Foreign Affairs […]

– TDs from all sides of the House need to scrutinise any deal’ Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns has accused the Minister for Agriculture of negotiating with the European Commission on CAP reform without proper Dáil oversight or input from Irish farming organisations. Holly said: “We have a right to know that our food is […]

Cuckoo funds are swooping in and block buying new estates The threatened eviction of children with special needs from an apartment complex in Dublin is a shameful indictment of the government’s failed housing policy, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. “The government lifted the ban on evictions today knowing the chaos it would cause. Currently, there […]

Serial testing, antigen testing and rapid test-and-trace must be utilised to the greatest extent possible Social Democrats co-leader, and Kildare North TD, Catherine Murphy has expressed concern at reports of an outbreak of 70 covid cases at the Intel site in Leixlip. Deputy Murphy said: “I have been assured the company is working with public […]

Slashing building standards and undermining the planning process has not fixed the housing market. All it has achieved is greater dysfunction. Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall today introduced a Private Members Bill to the Dáil to overhaul planning laws which have become a developers’ charter under successive Ministers. “Planning laws have become a developer’s charter […]

– Government needs to address impacts of ‘draconian, callous’ system Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns says that families living in direct provision will be left in limbo for years before the system is abolished. Speaking in the Dáil today, Holly said: “Over the past 20 years, 60,000 people have spent time in direct provision. Over […]