News

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 […]

Ireland must rally behind Spain after the US threatened to cease all trade with the country, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Spain’s barring of the US military from using its bases to stage its war against Iran is the right action to take to comply with international law. […]

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 […]

The Social Democrats have officially launched Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich’s campaign for the forthcoming Galway West by-election. The launch, which took place in the Harbour Hotel in Galway on Saturday, was attended by Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan TD, Sinéad Gibney TD, and Senator Patricia Stephenson, who is the party’s director of elections for Galway […]

The government must strongly condemn military action against Iran by the United States and Israel, which has completely destabilised the Middle East and put Irish peacekeeping troops and thousands of our citizens at risk, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “The US and Israel must be condemned in the […]

The government has now received legal advice from the Attorney General and should pass the Occupied Territories Bill, and must now do so without delay, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “At the Business Committee today, Government Chief Whip Mary Butler said that updated advice from the Attorney General […]

Today marks the fourth anniversary of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine – another grim milestone in this devastating conflict, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Four years into Russia’s brutal invasion, Ukrainians are facing one of their harshest winters in recent memory. Temperatures have fallen below minus 20 degrees […]

The thousands of peaceful protestors arrested and charged for supporting Palestine Action must have their names cleared after the group’s victory in the High Court, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson Senator Stephenson said: “Palestine Action should never have been proscribed as a terrorist group in the first place – the court’s […]

UEFA must read the room and ban Israel from taking part in its competitions, according to Social Democrats sports spokesperson Sinéad Gibney and foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Deputy Gibney said: “Our national team players, elite athletes at the pinnacle of their career, have been put in a very difficult position after they were drawn […]

Ireland is failing its responsibilities to uphold international law by refusing to progress the Occupied Territories Bill, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “On Tuesday, Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen said that new measures to expand the country’s control of the occupied West Bank in Palestine amounts to ‘de […]