News

Reports this morning that people awaiting deportation are now being arrested and detained in already dangerously overcrowded Irish prisons are deeply disturbing, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon said: “This is the direct and predictable result of a Justice Minister who has profoundly neglected and mismanaged both our prison system and […]

The government must not proceed with any plan to cut Special Needs Assistant support across the country, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins TD. Deputy Cummins, who has been meeting with teachers, school leaders, SNAs and parents on special education, said: “The proposed cuts are wholly premature; many new special classes, which will […]

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 […]

Social Democrats mental health and disability spokesperson Liam Quaide has challenged Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill for refusing to commit to baseline staffing targets and recruitment within primary care services for young people. Deputy Quaide, who brought to light the extent of waiting-lists across disciplines and health regions through a series of parliamentary questions, […]

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 […]

The lack of progress on the Events Centre is indicative of the Government’s attitude towards Cork, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who represents Cork South-Central, said: “Today marks 10 years since the sod was turned on the Cork Event Centre project – this sad anniversary can’t go unacknowledged, so together with […]

The government must increase Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) rates on an emergency basis to avoid a tsunami of homelessness, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “The latest ‘Locked Out of the Market’ report from the Simon Communities of Ireland will come as a further blow […]

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 […]

The government’s Residential Tenancies Bill will push thousands more people into homelessness and make renting increasingly unviable, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “The government’s intention to ram through this cruel and deeply flawed piece of legislation tonight represents a complete capitulation to large investor […]

There has been an erosion of trust between the Department of Health and Children’s Health Ireland and the families affected by the spinal care scandal, who have been neglected throughout the review process, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is Chair of the Oireachtas health committee, said: “We’re told that […]