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Social Democrats TD for Dublin Central, Gary Gannon, has insisted that representatives of the commercial live events sector be included on a special Government taskforce for the recovery of the arts and culture. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson for the Arts, said: “The thousands of workers in the live events sector will have […]

Catherine Murphy TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats and spokesperson on Transport, today called for immediate supports to be put in place to assist those working in the taxi and small public service vehicle sector. Deputy Murphy said: “It is vital that the Government takes immediate action to show that it is listening to the […]

The Government has reneged on four key commitments contained in last year’s Budget to improve access to healthcare, according to Róisín Shortall, co-leader of the Social Democrats. Deputy Shortall, who is the party’s spokesperson on Health, said: “Cost is a major barrier to accessing quality healthcare, whether it’s the cost of medicine or the cost […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow and spokesperson on Children, Equality and Integration, Jennifer Whitmore, has described Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Greece as “wholly inadequate”. Deputy Whitmore said: “Greece is seeking emergency humanitarian intervention from EU countries after a fire in the Moria refugee camp on the island of Lesvos […]

Responding to the publication of the Government’s plan for living with Covid-19, Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy TD called on the Government to publish a clear plan for businesses to prepare for transition between Levels. Deputy Murphy said: “At a time when we needed very clear political leadership and messaging we’ve got inconsistent approaches to […]

Responding to the Government’s announcement today on the new strategy for Covid-19, Róisín Shortall, TD and co-leader for the Social Democrats, commented: “The Government’s message today was confused and it’s confusing for the public. The new plan was supposed to provide clarity about the five different levels of risk, yet on the first day of […]

Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Further and Higher Education, and Gary Gannon TD, the party’s Education spokesperson, have called for meaningful reform of the college entry system following this afternoon’s release of first round CAO offers. Holly said: “Today marks a critical milestone after a very difficult and uncertain period for this year’s […]

Cork South-West TD, Holly Cairns, today highlighted the serious challenges faced by people with disabilities during the pandemic and called on the Government to address their needs when it publishes its ‘Living With Covid’ strategy next week. Speaking in the Dáil, Holly said: “The past few months have been an incredibly challenging time for people […]

The suspension of Covid-19 testing at meat plants completely undermines assurances from the HSE that there is capacity in the system to carry out 100,000 tests a week, according to Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats. Deputy Shortall said: “Public confidence in the Government’s test and trace programme will have been further eroded […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, has renewed her call for the appointment of an Online Safety Commissioner following the stark findings of new report from Cyber Safety Ireland. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Children, said: “The report revealed that more than 90 percent of children aged between eight and 12 […]