News

Ireland is facing a huge demand for personal protective equipment over the next year as a result of Covid-19, with an estimated cost of €1 billion to be allocated for PPE. Given the huge cost this poses, Róisín Shortall, TD and co-leader of the Social Democrats, has called on the Minister for Health to establish […]

Following a process of engagement regarding the Framework Document proposed by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, the Social Democrats have earlier today written to the leaders of those parties confirming that they will not be proceeding any further with negotiations for a Programme for Government. The Social Democrats made clear in the letter that they […]

Róisín Shortall, TD and co-leader of the Social Democrats, today raised serious concerns about Ireland’s readiness to begin reopening on the level proposed for May 18th under plans for Phase 1. Her concerns are based on three key areas which show little evidence to support the easing of restrictions to the extent envisaged: Test and trace […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has welcomed the announcement that the Sisters of Charity have received approval from the Vatican to transfer ownership of the site for the new National Maternity Hospital to St Vincents Holdings CLG.  However, this does not constitute public ownership of the site.  Deputy Shortall said today’s development should be […]

Following the closure of some testing centres over the weekend, Róisín Shortall, TD and co-leader of the Social Democrats, has called on Government to provide an explanation. She said, “The public deserves clear answers about the reason we are not operating at full testing capacity. The national strategy to combat Covid-19 is test and trace, […]

A transparent test and trace strategy is crucial to Ireland’s fight against Covid-19, according to Róisín Shortall TD and co-leader of the Social Democrats. During today’s Dáil sitting, she criticised the Government’s delays in reaching the testing target of 100,000 per week and its failure to adequately explain the reasons for the delays in the […]

Following the Taoiseach’s announcement yesterday that restrictions may be eased in stages every two to three weeks, Róisín Shortall, TD and co-leader of the Social Democrats, has repeated calls for an expert-led Task Force to plan a coordinated, cross-sector exit strategy. She said, “While public health authorities will of course have the principal input, other […]

Economic Response to Covid crisis cannot replicate the mistakes of the last recession Social Democrats co-leader Roísín Shortall said that today’s economic update from Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe did little more than set out possible scenarios but failed to provide any real detail regarding the Government’s response to the economic fallout of the Covid crisis. […]

The failure to quickly and efficiently redeploy HSE staff to nursing homes is leaving our most vulnerable citizens more susceptible to Covid-19. In light of the prevalence of Covid-19 in nursing homes and the high numbers of deaths, this must become the number one priority for Government, according to Róisín Shortall, TD and co-leader of […]

It is time for the Taoiseach to intervene with the pharmaceutical companies that are holding propriety rights over a critical reagent used in the test for Covid-19, according to Róisín Shortall, TD and co-leader of the Social Democrats. Calling on the Taoiseach in the Dáil today, she said, “There is a logjam caused at the […]