News

Social Democrats spokesperson on Education Equality and Access, Councillor Gary Gannon, has criticised the heavy-handed approach of private security at Trinity College Dublin to students protesting against proposals to introduce new fees for repeat examinations. Councillor Gannon said: “Students who have turned out in force to Take Back Trinity deserve to have their voices heard, […]

Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy TD has said the decision by Ireland’s largest waste company Panda to introduce charges for recycling is a significant retrograde step which will have far reaching consequences for Ireland’s overall environmental policy. Deputy Murphy said it was likely that other waste providers would follow Panda in charging for recycling waste […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has accused the government of betraying people with disabilities by refusing to give them the right to bring complaints to an important UN body. Deputy Shortall was commenting after it emerged from an official source that the government does not intend for the foreseeable future to ratify a crucial […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has called on Minister of State Finian McGrath to clarify when the government will ratify a crucial protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities (UNCPRD). Deputy Shortall said: “The ratification of the UNCPRD is not fully complete until the government also ratifies the optional […]

On International Women’s Day, the co-leaders of the Social Democrats, Róisín Shortall TD and Catherine Murphy TD, have raised the need for more women to be involved in politics and urged people to support the referendum to repeal the Eighth Amendment. Deputy Shortall said: “International Women’s Day is an important occasion to celebrate women’s many […]

The Social Democrats have called for the North’s Civic Forum to be reconstituted as a way to give voice to people left behind by the peace process. The party’s co-leader Róisín Shortall TD said the consultative forum of civil society and community groups could serve as a counterbalance to the ‘green and orange’ straitjacket of […]

Social Democrats councillor Gary Gannon has welcomed the announcement by the Lord Mayor of Dublin Mícheál MacDonncha that the city will host a two-day ‘Dublin Honours Magdalenes’ event next June. Councillor Gannon has campaigned extensively for a proper State-funded consultation with the women on how best to commemorate their suffering in the Magdalene Laundries. He […]

Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy TD has today called for senior civil servants Martin Fraser and Robert Watt to appear before the Public Accounts Committee to answer questions about the operation of the Strategic Communications Unit. Deputy Murphy, who is a member of the PAC, said: “An alarming aspect of the work of the SCU […]

The Social Democrats have accused Taoiseach Leo Varadkar of crossing a line by appointing the country’s top civil servant to carry out a review of the discredited Strategic Communications Unit which used public funds on covert advertising for the Ireland 2040 plan. The party’s co-leader Catherine Murphy TD said: “Leo Varadkar has clearly crossed a […]

Social Democrats’ Wicklow candidate Councillor Jennifer Whitmore has urged local authorities in areas at risk of flooding to carry out assessments and be proactive with timely advice and practical supports to local businesses and residents. Cllr Whitmore said: “There’s a real risk that, because the main focus is on the current snow storm, that we […]