News

After just seven months, the number of women killed this year has already exceeded last year’s total after the violent death of a woman in Killarney this week, according to the Social Democrats’ Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “These are not just numbers or statistics – these are real women who lived real lives, lives […]

The gutted version of the Occupied Territories Bill that the Government is ramming through the Oireachtas will not effectively sanction Israel, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “It is unforgivable that the Government has gutted the Occupied Territories Bill and diluted its impact by excluding a ban on services. […]

Ireland must use its EU Presidency to put pressure on the bloc to course correct and restore its founding principles of respect for human rights and international law, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “The Government says Ireland’s EU Presidency will be defined by action on European competitiveness, values […]

An independent UN report which confirmed the IDF is deliberately targeting and murdering children in Gaza reveals the depths of Israel’s depravity, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “An independent UN inquiry has found that Israel continues to commit genocide by deliberately targeting and murdering Palestinian children in Gaza. […]

There must be clarity and protection provided to the staff and students of Carlow College who are facing uncertainty, according to the Social Democrats’ Patricia Stephenson and Jen Cummins. Carlow Kilkenny-based Senator Patricia Stephenson said: “The closure of Carlow College marks the end of an era for Carlow. The institution has shaped generations of students, […]

Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson’s Bill to give greater powers to prevent munitions being flown through Shannon Airport and Irish airspace, along with a suite of other measures which will seek to prevent ICE deportation flights stopping in Ireland, will be debated in the Seanad tomorrow. Senator Stephenson said: “This Bill seeks to […]

Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson will introduce a Bill today to give greater powers to prevent munitions being flown through Shannon Airport and Irish airspace, along with a suite of other measures which will seek to prevent ICE deportation flights stopping in Ireland. Senator Stephenson said: “This Bill seeks to uphold Irish neutrality, […]

The Government’s omission of a ban on services from the Occupied Territories Bill is neither moral nor legal, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “The Government has been dragged kicking and screaming by public and opposition pressure to take any amount of credible action on Palestine. I welcome that […]

Progressing the Occupied Territories Bill without the inclusion of a ban on services shows the Government is crumbling under pressure from the United States, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “After kicking the Occupied Territories Bill to touch for more than a year, Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee has […]

The Government must do more than offer hollow words of condemnation while Irish activists are abused in Israeli captivity, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Footage which depicts Irish woman, and humanitarian flotilla member, Catriona Graham being abused in Israeli detention is horrifying and outrageous. “The video shows Ms […]