News

A single junior doctor cannot be scapegoated for this entire scandal. HSE CEO Paul Reid must ensure there is accountability among the senior management team for the scandal at South Kerry CAMHS, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “HSE CEO Paul Reid appeared on Morning Ireland today, but was unable to provide any […]

Nphet made it very clear there was no longer any public health justification for retaining visitor restrictions The Health Minister must give a clear direction that visiting restrictions at hospitals and nursing homes should be lifted, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “Last week, in their letter to government, Nphet made it very clear […]

We have navigated our way through the maze of this pandemic using public health advice – and that advice has now identified an exit The removal of almost all covid restrictions is a historic moment in our battle against covid, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “Covid has consumed all of our lives […]

The issue of a subsidy for antigen tests must urgently be revisited The government must publish a long-term strategy on how it plans to manage the pandemic throughout the year, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “We are now in the third year, and fourth wave, of covid but no long-term strategy to […]

By contrast, a 12-hour walk-in clinic is operating in Cork  The HSE must explain why there are no walk-in clinics for boosters for over 40s anywhere in Co. Dublin today, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “There are no walk-in clinics for boosters for over 40s operating anywhere in Co. Dublin today. The […]

The government must stop dodging this question and tell us if they have a plan Clarity is required on when covid certs will be updated to include booster doses as some EU countries have announced certs with just two doses will no longer be valid after nine months, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín […]

The review, of this important piece of legislation, has all of the hallmarks of a rush job It is deeply regrettable that the Health Minster has failed to appoint an independent expert to head a review of abortion legislation in advance of that review commencing, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “In March, […]

This is a decision that makes no sense on either public health or financial grounds The decision of the government to scrap a subsidy scheme for antigen tests is a serious dereliction of duty, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “It beggars belief that Health Minister Stephen Donnelly would announce a U-turn of […]

Deputy Shortall will be bringing forward a Bill proposing a referendum to remove the requirement to make religious oaths from the Constitution The full-throated defence by the State of mandatory religious oaths in the Constitution is both surprising and deeply disappointing, according to Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall. Deputy Shortall was an applicant in proceedings […]

The government response can be summarised as chaotic and incoherent. The reopening plan announced today betrays an abject lack of planning and foresight by the government, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “With just three days left to go before many businesses reopen, for the first time in 19 months, the rules are being […]