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The Dáil will debate a Social Democrats’ motion on Wednesday to put further pressure on the Government to prevent the Ireland-Israel fixture in the UEFA Nations League from going ahead. Deputy Sinéad Gibney, who is the party’s spokesperson on sport, said: “So far, all we have got from this Government is political doublespeak, with some […]

The Transport Minister must explain why the replacement of Irish Rail’s IT system is such an omnishambles and who is responsible, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who sits on the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee, said: “Last month, it was revealed that Irish Rail had written down the value of a new […]

There cannot be one rule for the Rotunda and one rule for every other public hospital The Health Minister must hold firm and ensure the Rotunda agrees to abide by State policy before sitting down to a meeting with its representatives, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is chair of […]

The imposing of a travel ban on Israel’s most far-right ministers must be only the beginning of Ireland’s actions to sanction Netanyahu’s rogue government, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich are the embodiment of everything that is evil about Israel’s genocidal regime […]

Social Democrats party leader Holly Cairns has announced that she is expecting her second child. Deputy Cairns said: “I am so happy to announce that we are expecting our second child. Barry and I are so excited and feel extremely lucky to be able to raise our family in West Cork. “I have always said […]

The Government cannot continue to ignore repeated warnings about the heavy demand that data centres are placing on Ireland’s energy systems, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on energy, said: “A UN report on the environmental impact of artificial intelligence has described Ireland as a live cautionary […]

Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins has welcomed today’s plan to professionalise the role of Special Needs Assistants, but notes that this is long overdue. Deputy Cummins said: “The new Workforce Development Plan and revised SNA contract announced today are the culmination of years of essential work by SNAs and intense negotiations by Forsa. “While […]

The Government’s new maximum fee cap for childcare services operating under the core funding model is a derisory reduction that will make little difference to hard-pressed families, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “Under the new maximum fee cap announced today by Children’s Minister […]

Government cop-out ignores previous political precedent of international game being cancelled  The government cannot continue to hide behind the FAI when it comes to its position on the Israel-Ireland game, according to Social Democrats sports spokesperson Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney said: “Speaking on RTÉ today, Minister of State for Sport Charlie McConalogue said it was […]

We cannot allow a genocidal Israeli state to launder its reputation through sportswashing The Social Democrats are bringing forward a Dáil motion demanding the government withdraw its support for the forthcoming Ireland-Israel soccer match, according to Social Democrats sports spokesperson Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney said: “Not only is the Israeli state committing a genocide in […]