News

It is scandalous that Irish citizens stuck in a war zone are being charged €800 by their own government so they can get home safely, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “The government’s Scrooge-like response to this emergency has been shameful. After announcing that charter flights were being arranged […]

Shannon Airport must not be used to launch attacks on Iran as part of the United States and Israel’s illegal war, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “The Irish government must give a categoric commitment that Shannon Airport will not be used to launch attacks on Iran as part […]

The government must strongly condemn military action against Iran by the United States and Israel, which has completely destabilised the Middle East and put Irish peacekeeping troops and thousands of our citizens at risk, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “The US and Israel must be condemned in the […]

Today marks the fourth anniversary of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine – another grim milestone in this devastating conflict, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Four years into Russia’s brutal invasion, Ukrainians are facing one of their harshest winters in recent memory. Temperatures have fallen below minus 20 degrees […]

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 […]

Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee must immediately intervene in the case of Irish man Seamus Culleton’s detention by ICE in the US, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Seamus Culleton has been in ICE detention in the US since September of last year and has been subject to […]

The government’s failure to explicitly rule out the prospect of Ireland joining President Trump’s sinister Board of Peace is difficult to comprehend, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Donald Trump’s Board of Peace was initially billed as a body that would oversee governance and reconstruction in Gaza – even […]

Donald Trump’s inflammatory words about US military intervention in Iran will bring only further pain and strife if acted on, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “It’s now estimated by fact checkers with Iran International that over 12,000 people have been killed in Iran in the last week at […]

The Minister for Foreign Affairs should contact the British Ambassador to Ireland to raise concerns about the plight of detained Palestine Action activists in the UK, according to Social Democrats Foreign Affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “I am deeply concerned about the ongoing hunger strike involving the Filton 24 in England, who are […]

The Irish government must unequivocally condemn the US military actions in Venezuela, which clearly undermine international law and will further heighten global tensions, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Following recent attacks on Venezuelan vessels by US forces under the guise of anti-drug operations, last night’s kidnapping of Maduro […]