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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 […]

The current state of Irish banking is a consumer nightmare Competition in the Irish banking market will soon be almost non-existent, according to Social Democrats co-leader, and Finance Spokesperson, Róisín Shortall. “KBC has today confirmed its intention to quit the Irish market. This news will be a source of great alarm to both its staff […]

Our economic recovery must not be a two-tier recovery, in which those most impacted by the pandemic are left behind.  Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall has said the finding of the Stability Programme Update – that Ireland’s economic recovery is contingent on the successful rollout of the vaccination programme – is a reminder that vaccines […]

Social Democrats co-leader, and PAC Vice Chairperson, Catherine Murphy TD has queried whether the imminent appointment of Robert Watt, as permanent Secretary General of the Department of Health on a salary of €292,000, was always a fait accompli. “Taoiseach Micheál Martin personally asked Mr Watt to transfer from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform […]

In the wake of the Paradise Papers revelations about global tax avoidance, Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD criticised the government’s role in facilitating massive tax breaks for Apple. Speaking during Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil today, Deputy Shortall said: “The theme running though the Paradise Papers is the relentless quest of the wealthy and […]

The Social Democrats have said white-collar crime reforms announced today by the government are welcome and long-overdue but lack critical detail and continue the fragmented approach to tackling corruption in all its forms. The party’s joint leader Catherine Murphy TD said: “Several of the new measures are welcome and long-overdue, especially the proposed overhaul of […]

Speaking at the All Ireland Civic Dialogue in Dublin, Social Democrats representative for Castleknock and Blanchardstown Aengus Ó Maoláin said that it is time for Ireland to stop coping with the fallout from Brexit, and start planning to maximise the opportunities presented by the UK’s departure from the EU. “The decision by the UK to […]

The Social Democrats have accused the government of hiding behind private property rights in the Constitution to avoid tackling the unprecedented housing crisis with the radical measures that are required. The comments come ahead of the party’s ‘think-in’ in Dublin today hosted by co-leaders Catherine Murphy TD and Róisín Shortall TD. Today’s event will explore […]

The fact that investors are currently paying the Irish State to lend it money highlights just how ridiculous our economic management has become, Social Democrats TD Róisín Shortall said today. The party’s co-leader was commenting on reports that Ireland raised €750m on the bond markets this morning, selling five-year bonds at a negative interest rate […]