News

Health Committee backs Deputy Shortall’s proposal to follow WHO policy in respect of the availability of contraception The Minister for Health should mark International Women’s Day by allowing pharmacists to dispense prescription-free oral contraceptives, according to Social Democrats TD Róisín Shortall. “At today’s Oireachtas Health Committee, representatives of the Irish Pharmacy Union made a compelling […]

The Social Democrats have welcomed the co-option of Alan Curran to Galway City Council. Alan has been a member of the Galway branch of the Social Democrats since 2018 and is the co-author of the party’s cycling policy. Holly Cairns TD, leader of the Social Democrats, said: “I would like to congratulate Alan on his […]

Delay is especially reprehensible in light of the vulnerability of those children and adults requiring psychological services  The Minister for Health is continuing to drag his feet on the long overdue regulation of psychologists, according to Holly Cairns, leader of the Social Democrats. Deputy Cairns, who is a member of the Joint Committee on Children, […]

Timeline will be crucial in tackling the safety threat posed by illegal drone usage  The Government must act urgently to mitigate the risk posed by drones to aircraft passengers and residents living in the vicinity of Dublin Airport, according to Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy. Deputy Murphy, who is the party’s Transport spokesperson, said: “The […]

HSE report reveals 700 vacancies across 91 Children’s Disability Network Teams  Disability services for children continue to be severely impacted by the HSE’s failure to get to grips with the serious recruitment crisis within the sector, according to Holly Cairns, leader of the Social Democrats. Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s spokesperson on Disability, said: […]

Emergency response by Government needed to tackle crisis The latest homelessness figures underline the need for an extension of the eviction ban, along with other measures to protect tenants, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s Housing spokesperson, said: “There are now 11,754 people living in homeless emergency accommodation […]

Putin’s despotic behaviour shows that we can no longer take peace for granted in Europe  Ireland must continue to offer unwavering support to those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, according to Catherine Murphy, co-leader of the Social Democrats. Deputy Murphy, who will speak at today’s rally at the GPO in Dublin to mark the first […]

There are now more than 671,000 people living in poverty – over 188,000 of them children The sharp rise in the number of people living in poverty in Ireland highlights the increasing level of income inequality in this country, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. The at risk of poverty rate, as measured by […]

Róisín Shortall and Catherine Murphy have issued a joint statement following yesterday’s announcement that they are to step aside as co-leaders of the Social Democrats. The party’s National Executive will meet this evening (Thursday, February 23) to make arrangements for the election of a new leader. Both Catherine and Róisín fully intend to remain active […]

Government has failed to deliver on commitment in Energy Poverty Action Plan Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore will introduce a Bill tomorrow (Tuesday, February 21) proposing new legislation to protect financially vulnerable customers from energy disconnections. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Energy, said: “The Government’s new Energy Poverty Action Plan, published last […]