News

The Social Democrats have welcomed today’s report by the Commission on the Future of Policing which recommends new external accountability and oversight structures and a shift to community policing. “We need to see buy-in from the highest level, both politically and among the senior ranks of the force, to get moving on these challenging reforms, […]

The Social Democrats today set out the party’s priorities for the new Dáil term, calling for a nationwide freeze on rents at current levels to stem the flow of low-and-middle income earners into homelessness. “The Government needs to intervene now to stop rents sky-rocketing any further. We have to end this exploitation of renters and […]

Commenting on this morning’s record figures from the National Treatment Purchase Fund showing 718,165 patients on hospital waiting lists, Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD said the endless cycle of upwardly spiralling waiting lists is inexcusable. “The experience of daily suffering behind these waiting list numbers is appalling – the longer people wait for procedures, […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has strongly endorsed the calls of women and families affected by the CervicalCheck crisis for swift implementation of the detailed recommendations of the Scally report published today. “Dr Scally’s report lifts the lid on what is an exceptionally paternalistic culture within elements of the medical profession. It is incumbent […]

The Social Democrats today announce their support for Michael D Higgins in the forthcoming presidential election, after a consultation process with party members through the National Council. “Michael D Higgins is a social democrat. He espouses a vision and values that match those of our party, the Social Democrats, and throughout his presidency has strongly […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has accused the Taoiseach of putting Fine Gael’s interests ahead of what is best for the country’s finances by planning a Budget giveaway with unaffordable tax cuts. “The Budget shouldn’t be about just the next general election, it should be about the next generation.” Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall […]

Social Democrats co-leaders Róisín Shortall TD and Catherine Murphy TD today paid warm tributes to women’s rights campaigner Sylvia Meehan who passed away today. “Throughout her life, Sylvia was an inspirational leader and role model for women’s rights and equality in the workplace and wider society.” Social Democrats co-leaders Róisín Shortall TD and Catherine Murphy […]

The Social Democrats today called for urgent measures to make private and public land available for housing in order to tackle the unprecedented housing and homeless crisis. ““We have had two housing crises in the past decade. We have to end this cycle now. We cannot rely on the market to deliver housing that is affordable […]

Responding to the shooting of a teenager girl in Ballymun last night, co-leader of the Social Democrats and local TD, Róisín Shortall has called for the full restoration of Garda numbers in Ballymun. “Not a day goes by that I don’t hear a report of a burglary, drug dealing, or serious anti-social behaviour. The fact […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has welcomed today’s adoption by the government of the Sláintecare health reform – but questioned its urgency in implementing it. “Today’s announcement is a resounding endorsement of the cross-party Sláintecare vision for a universal, single-tier health system.” Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has welcomed today’s adoption by the […]