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The European Union’s belated decision to review its trade agreement with Israel, while welcome, will not come soon enough to stave off the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza, according to Social Democrats senator Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson, who is the party’s spokesperson on foreign affairs and trade, said: “With dire warnings from the UN that […]

It is absolutely appalling that Irish Peacekeepers are being threatened and intimidated by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), according to Social Democrats Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “The latest incident of the Israeli Defence Forces firing on UN peacekeeping positions, and shining laser lights on Irish troops, is outrageous. “Irish peacekeepers have […]

The government must ensure that Ireland’s interests are protected in any EU response to President Trump’s trade tariffs, according to Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “President Trump has now fired the starting gun on an unprecedented global trade war, with punitive 20 per cent tariffs slapped on EU exports to the […]

The Dáil will debate a Social Democrats’ motion on Wednesday (March 26) calling for a people’s vote, or plebiscite, on the future of the Triple Lock. Sinéad Gibney, the party’s spokesperson on international affairs and defence, said: “The Triple Lock, which has been a central tenet of Irish foreign policy for decades, means 12 or […]

Viktor Orbán’s latest attempt to dehumanise members of the queer community in Hungary by banning Pride events is a blatant violation of their human rights, according to the Social Democrats. Pádraig Rice TD, the party’s Health spokesperson, said: “The decision to ban Pride in Hungary is a full-frontal attack on LGBTQ+ human rights and fundamental […]

The Taoiseach must push for the immediate suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement at this week’s European Council meeting following the appalling massacre of more than 400 people in Gaza by Israeli forces, according to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney, who is the party’s spokesperson on international affairs, said: “The fragile ceasefire between […]

The Social Democrats today announced plans for a €10 million fund to bring Palestinian children to Ireland for education, cultural exchanges and medical treatment. The proposal is contained in the party’s ‘Positive Neutrality’ policy document, which was launched by foreign affairs spokesperson Gary Gannon, and Patricia Stephenson, the Soc Dems’ general election candidate in Carlow-Kilkenny. […]

The Taoiseach must use the opportunity of his White House meeting with President Joe Biden this week to express Ireland’s grave concerns about the threat to the safety of Irish peacekeepers in Southern Lebanon, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on defence and foreign affairs, said: “The […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has expressed disappointment at the re-election of Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission. “The outcome of today’s vote represents a missed opportunity by MEPs to restore some credibility to the EU, which has been badly damaged on the world stage by its callous indifference to the […]

The international community must hold Israel to account for the latest deaths of humanitarian aid workers in Gaza, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “At a time when Israel is embarking on a deliberate policy of forced starvation of the Gazan population, the senseless killing of seven aid workers attached to the World Central […]