News

Cllr Aidan Farrelly has been selected by the Social Democrats to represent the party in Kildare North in the forthcoming General Election. This follows the decision by party co-founder and former co-leader Catherine Murphy to stand down as a TD after more than 30 years in public life. Speaking after the selection convention, Cllr Farrelly […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has paid tribute to former Social Democrats co-leaders Catherine Murphy and Róisín Shortall after they announced they will not contest the forthcoming general election. The former co-leaders made the announcement this morning saying it was time for a new generation to take over. Catherine Murphy said: “I love my job […]

I love my job and have always had a deep passion for my work and tackling the many pressing social, environmental, economic, and governmental issues we still face. However, after more than 30 years in representational politics, now it is the right time for me to step back. I am therefore confirming I will not […]

A multi-layered response is required to tackle knife crime across the country, according to Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy. Deputy Murphy, who is the party’s spokesperson on justice, said: “Figures supplied to me through a parliamentary question give rise to serious concerns. “According to the Department of Justice, more than 18,000 knives have been seized […]

Media Minister Catherine Martin must come before the Dáil and answer questions following the release of a damning statement by former RTE Chair Siún Ní Raghallaigh, according to Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy. Deputy Murphy, who is the deputy chair of the Public Accounts Committee, said: “Ms Ní Raghallaigh’s damning statement raises a number of […]

The Government must consider all possible measures to vindicate the rights of former staff of The Body Shop after the sudden closure of the company’s Irish branches, according to Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy. Deputy Murphy, who is the party’s spokesperson on enterprise, trade and employment, said: “It is completely unacceptable for employees of The […]

The final cost of delivering the new National Children’s Hospital is likely to exceed the €2.24 billion projected by the Government and may not be known for years, according to Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy. Deputy Murphy, who is vice-chair of the Public Accounts Committee, said: “Confirmation from the Minister for Health today that the […]

A Government proposal to increase penalty points for motorists on bank holiday weekends should not be a substitute for high visibility policing and enhanced enforcement of road traffic legislation, according to Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy. Deputy Murphy, who is the party’s spokesperson on justice, said: “In response to the worrying rise in road deaths […]

Clarity needed on whether census data on population growth was used when allocating additional funds to local authorities Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy has called on the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to publish the methodology used by the working group that reviewed the model of baseline funding to local authorities from Local […]

Bus Éireann needs to clarify the numbers affected by driver shortages and give a timeline for resolution of the issue  The Social Democrats have called on Bus Éireann and the Department of Education to immediately outline what steps will be taken to address serious shortcomings in the operation of the School Transport Scheme. Jennifer Whitmore, […]