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The government must use every tool at its disposal to support Seán Binder as he faces 20-years in a Greek prison for the crime of saving lives, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “In 2017, Seán Binder showed limitless compassion and bravery when he, and a group of humanitarian […]

The government must immediately respond to weekend reports that it is set to abandon plans to enact the Occupied Territories Bill, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Yesterday’s report in the Irish Mail on Sunday is deeply concerning. Quoting unnamed Cabinet sources, it suggests the government is set to […]

Ireland must fight EU attempts to erode environmental and human rights protections after the European Parliament voted to exempt more companies from green reporting rules, according to the Social Democrats. Sinéad Gibney TD, the party’s enterprise spokesperson, said: “A majority of MEPs recently voted to rollback crucial human rights and environmental protections in favour of […]

Newly appointed Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee must waste no time in condemning Russia’s continued illegal invasion of Ukraine, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Minister McEntee must reaffirm Ireland’s commitment to and solidarity with the Ukrainian people, who have suffered horrendous conditions and human rights abuses for the […]

The government’s attempt to ratify the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) without pre-legislative scrutiny has been described as a deeply cynical move by Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Tánaiste Simon Harris has received Cabinet approval for the Arbitration (Amendment) Bill 2025, which will enable the ratification of the […]

Israel’s violations of the incredibly delicate ceasefire agreement in Gaza are war crimes, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Today, Israel asserted that the Gaza ceasefire had ‘resumed’ after the Israeli Defence Forces killed over 100 people in a bombing campaign, including 35 children. “Ceasefires cannot be paused by […]

The government’s inability to clarify when it will enact the Occupied Territories Bill is shameful, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “In response to Social Democrats party leader Holly Cairns during today’s leaders’ questions, Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said that the Occupied Territories Bill is considered priority legislation and […]

Decisions made in relation to Gaza and Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly over the next few weeks will serve as a marker of the international community’s credibility and humanity, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “With the Trump administration’s refusal to grant visas to the Palestinian delegation […]

The cruelty shown towards the people of Gaza by the Israeli government knows no bounds as the IDF is ordered to forcefully occupy the city, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Israel is being allowed to act with impunity in its destruction of Gaza and its people – now, […]

The government is attempting to ram through full ratification of the EU-Canada trade agreement (CETA), despite the Supreme Court finding their previous attempt to do so was unconstitutional, without any pre-legislative scrutiny, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Senator Patricia Stephenson. Two members of the Foreign Affairs Committee – Senator Stephenson and Senator Alice […]