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The Irish Government must intervene to ensure the safety of Irish activists illegally detained in international waters by Israeli forces, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Yet again, we see Israel act with impunity as the latest Gaza-bound flotilla – carrying food, medicine and baby formula – is intercepted […]

Allowing 3,000 US troops to pass through Shannon Airport last month radically undermines our country’s neutrality, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “There is no other reason for the increase of US military overflights and troops through Shannon Airport than Donald Trump’s war in the Middle East. “If we […]

Ireland must join Spain and Switzerland and close its airspace to US military aircraft en route to fulfil military objectives in the Middle East, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “There were almost 250 more US military flights over Ireland since last summer than reported by the Department of […]

The Government’s attempt to ram through the Arbitration Bill without adequate scrutiny poses a serious threat to Ireland, according to Social Democrats Foreign Affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “The Arbitration Bill, which the government intends to guillotine after a debate of just one hour, poses a serious threat to this country. The Bill […]

Israel’s claim that a ceasefire deal to end the war in the Middle East does not include Lebanon must be immediately condemned by the Taoiseach and Tánaiste, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Ireland has a long history of peacekeeping in Lebanon through our Defence Force’s participation in UNIFIL. […]

Trump is now raving like a murderous zealot, threatening nuclear war and the complete obliteration of the Iranian people World leaders must intervene as US President Donald Trump threatens to commit war crimes of apocalyptic proportions in Iran, according to Social Democrats Foreign Affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “The United States and Israel […]

It is beyond pathetic that our Government has buried the Occupied Territories Bill while Israel ramps up its ethnic cleansing in Palestine and southern Lebanon, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “The chaos of the US and Israel’s illegal war in Iran and Lebanon is providing the perfect cloak […]

Micheál Martin must clarify if he formally invited US President Donald Trump to Ireland for a State visit later this year, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “In the Oval Office yesterday, US President Donald Trump said Micheál Martin had told him he hoped that he came to Ireland […]

It is scandalous that Irish citizens stuck in a war zone are being charged €800 by their own government so they can get home safely, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “The government’s Scrooge-like response to this emergency has been shameful. After announcing that charter flights were being arranged […]

Shannon Airport must not be used to launch attacks on Iran as part of the United States and Israel’s illegal war, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “The Irish government must give a categoric commitment that Shannon Airport will not be used to launch attacks on Iran as part […]