News

Vague proposals for an emergency break do not inspire any confidence The Irish government must live up to commitments to oppose the Mercosur trade deal if robust protections for the environment and agricultural sector are not in place, according to Social Democrats Climate and Agriculture spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen […]

Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has called on the government to formally designate the forthcoming National Drugs Strategy – scheduled for publication by the end of 2025 – as an interim strategy. Deputy Gannon, who chairs the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Drug Use, said: “It would be a profound breach of democratic accountability for the […]

Social Democrats TDs Rory Hearne and Jen Cummins today handed in a letter to the Minister for Education on behalf of three Dublin families struggling to secure special education places for their children. Deputy Hearne, who is a TD for Dublin North-West, has taken up the cases of three children in his constituency – Riley […]

No EU financial institution should be involved in raising funds which are used to annihilate innocent civilians News that the Central Bank will no longer facilitate the sale of Israeli bonds is welcome if overdue, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. “It has been reported today that Israel has moved the approval process for […]

Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins has said the Labour Court must now intervene in the strike by school secretaries and caretakers. Deputy Cummins said: “School secretaries and caretakers are the backbone of our school communities. They are essential to the proper running of schools all across the country. “For decades, these professionals have provided […]

This kind of treatment of a peaceful protestor is horrific and completely unacceptable Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Harris must raise the brutal treatment of a peaceful Irish protestor by German police with the German ambassador, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “A shocking video, circulating on social […]

More EU member states must join growing calls for economic sanctions against Israel for its war crimes in Gaza and plans for further illegal settlements in the West Bank, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson made her comments after it was confirmed this week that Sweden and the Netherlands have […]

Confirmation today that there are now more than 5,000 children living in homeless emergency accommodation is a national scandal and a dark day for Ireland, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Today’s figures show there were 16,058 people living in homeless emergency accommodation at the end […]

Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins has expressed solidarity with the school secretaries and caretakers commencing indefinite strike action today. Speaking ahead of a protest rally at the Department of Public Expenditure in Dublin, Deputy Cummins said: “As students return to the classroom this week, it is unacceptable that the dedicated secretaries and caretakers who […]

Nicotine pouches should be viewed as a gateway to lifelong nicotine dependency The government’s failure to regulate the sale of nicotine pouches poses an ongoing threat to children’s health and wellbeing, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. “Today, the Irish Cancer society has highlighted that popular festivals – like Electric Picnic – are partnering with […]