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Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has accused the government of betraying people with disabilities by denying them the right to bring complaints under an important UN Convention which comes into force in Ireland today. Deputy Shortall was speaking at a protest outside Leinster House this morning to mark the fact that the UN Convention […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has taken serious issue with the government’s refusal to outlaw the repugnant practice of harvesting children’s data for marketing purposes by large companies including Facebook. Deputy Shortall criticised the government’s Data Protection Bill 2018, which is currently before the Oireachtas, for failing to include robust restrictions on how companies […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD today called on the Government to wake up to the crisis in General Practice and set out a timetable to reverse austerity cuts which are harming GP practices and patients. Deputy Shortall made her comments as major differences have emerged between the State and doctors over the scale of […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]