News

TUSLA has been told on countless occasions that Special Emergency Arrangements for unaccompanied children are inappropriate and present serious risks, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “My thoughts are with the family of Vadym Davydenko, the Ukrainian teenager who died tragically in Donaghmede on Wednesday. A Garda investigation is now […]

Cash-based shift swapping in Irish prisons is a scandal which puts lives at risk and exposes a complete failure of basic oversight, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon said: “What we learned on last night’s Prime Time report was completely shocking – cash based shift-swapping in Irish prisons and an entire […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has today announced an update in spokespeople roles in the parliamentary party. Deputy Cairns said: “Today, I am announcing an update to spokespeople roles – namely that Deputy Eoin Hayes will be our Social Protection spokesperson. “I know Deputy Hayes will work hard in this brief, on behalf of some […]

Confirmation of yet another delay to the National Children’s Hospital shows that the government has completely lost control of the multi-billion-euro project, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is chair of the Oireachtas Health Committee, said: “It is utterly unacceptable that the latest completion date of November 24 is now […]

It is abhorrent that Gazans have already been shot dead by Israeli forces just two days after committing to a ceasefire, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “This morning, five people were killed in the Shejaiya neighbourhood of Gaza City – the Israeli Defence Forces couldn’t even go 48 […]

The coalition’s actions, or lack thereof, indicate that it’s out of ideas when it comes to tackling the housing crisis, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “The government’s revised housing plan was to be published in July – in June, the Taoiseach said it had been pushed out until September, […]

The government’s push to extend the nitrates derogation is completely anomalous with efforts to reduce rising pollution levels in Ireland’s waterways, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s environment spokesperson, said: “The latest report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows that the quality of our rivers, lakes and […]

It’s crucial that the government does not become complacent in its support for the Palestinian people now that a ceasefire has been agreed, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “While the announcement of a ceasefire is exceptionally good news, it’s now essential that our focus turns to its preservation […]

Today’s official opening of a new 96-bed block at University Hospital Limerick (UHL), while welcome, does not negate the need for a new Model 3 hospital in the Mid-West region, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s spokesperson on health, said: “I was honoured to attend the opening of […]

Welcoming the long-awaited establishment of the Assisted Human Reproduction Regulatory Authority, Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice today called on the Minister for Health to move ahead with required law reform in this area. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s spokesperson on health, said: “I welcome the establishment of the Assisted Human Reproduction Regulatory Authority and […]