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Catherine Murphy  Friends, I want to welcome everyone here today. The last time we met like this it was 2019. We didn’t think it would take quite this long to get back into a room together again. I also want to warmly welcome all those watching at home. We believe the potential, and desire, for […]

There is a real and genuine public concern that the government will be on the wrong side of history when it comes to the national maternity hospital  Health Minister Stephen Donnelly must publish the legal framework for the new national maternity hospital and bring it before the Dáil before it is signed off by cabinet, […]

Tinkering around the edges will do little to help those struggling to survive in the long-term The government’s response to the cost-of-living crisis is not sufficiently targeted at those who need help the most, according to Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy. “The vast bulk of the funding announced today is for a blanket €200 electricity […]

The government has yet to provide a single targeted relief to people who are struggling to survive Patronising comments by Junior Minister Seán Fleming on the cost-of-living crisis are indicative of a government that is out of touch and lacking in empathy, according to Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy. “Advice from Junior Minister Seán Fleming, […]

The refusal grounds are so all encompassing, they make a mockery of the stated purpose of the legislation. The government’s working from home Bill is an employers’ charter which only serves to undermine the right to work from home, according to Social Democrats Enterprise Spokesperson Catherine Murphy. “I was concerned, before the legislation was published, […]

There can be no going back to old working practises The government must introduce legislation that gives workers a legal right to work remotely – not merely the right to request flexible working arrangements, according to Social Democrats Enterprise Spokesperson Catherine Murphy. “The pandemic has been hugely difficult for people right across society – but […]

Our climate action targets cannot be met without these large-scale public transport projects The delay of Metrolink for at least ten years is a catastrophe for the greater Dublin region and means we are almost assured of missing our climate action targets, according to Social Democrats Transport Spokesperson Catherine Murphy. “The revised Dublin transport plan […]

Mr Watt’s intervention has ensured this debacle has gone from tragedy to farce The Department of Health is refusing to release details of a review into the new Children’s Hospital to the PAC, according to Social Democrats co-leader, and vice-chair of the PAC, Catherine Murphy. “A comprehensive review of this project,  by the National Paediatric […]

Serial testing, antigen testing and rapid test-and-trace must be utilised to the greatest extent possible Social Democrats co-leader, and Kildare North TD, Catherine Murphy has expressed concern at reports of an outbreak of 70 covid cases at the Intel site in Leixlip. Deputy Murphy said: “I have been assured the company is working with public […]

Any prospect of the proposed salary increase being backdated should also be discounted immediately The incoming permanent Secretary General of the Department of Health, Robert Watt, should permanently waive the €81,000 pay increase that accompanies his new job, according to Social Democrats co-leader, and PAC Vice Chair, Catherine Murphy. “I welcome the decision of Mr […]