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Government must clarify when it will enact the Occupied Territories Bill

The government’s inability to clarify when it will enact the Occupied Territories Bill is shameful, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “In response to Social Democrats party leader Holly Cairns during today’s leaders’ questions, Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said that the Occupied Territories Bill is considered priority legislation and […]

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Credibility of international community at stake as UN General Assembly gets underway

Decisions made in relation to Gaza and Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly over the next few weeks will serve as a marker of the international community’s credibility and humanity, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “With the Trump administration’s refusal to grant visas to the Palestinian delegation […]

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Government must not be allowed to ram through ratification of EU-Canada trade agreement

The government is attempting to ram through full ratification of the EU-Canada trade agreement (CETA), despite the Supreme Court finding their previous attempt to do so was unconstitutional, without any pre-legislative scrutiny, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Senator Patricia Stephenson. Two members of the Foreign Affairs Committee – Senator Stephenson and Senator Alice […]

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Government must show full support for Mid-West’s EuroPride bid

EuroPride presents an opportunity to show solidarity with LGBTQI+ communities across the continent and establish Ireland as a staunch supporter of progress, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “In April, it was announced that the Irish consortium of Limerick Pride, QuareClare and The Outing Festival had been shortlisted to […]

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Backing substitute ‘milk’ exports in West Africa with public monies is fundamentally unethical

Exporting massive volumes of ‘milk’ powders to West Africa is harming economic and health outcomes in the region, as well as our own climate and sustainability goals, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “It’s not appropriate for over a quarter of a million euro of taxpayer funds to be […]

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Government must move heaven and earth for GAA Palestine trip

If these children are not allowed to come to Ireland it will be a stain on this government that will never be erased The government should be moving heaven and earth to ensure 33 children from the West Bank can travel to Ireland with GAA Palestine next week, according to Social Democrats sports spokesperson Sinéad […]

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US bombing of Iran must be criticised on the European stage

Ireland and its European Union colleagues must not be dragged into US war games, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Rather than engaging in high level diplomatic channels to lower the risk of violence and war, the US has chosen a tactic of escalation, bringing the Middle East, an […]

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EU’s anti-fraud watchdog must investigate government’s failure to inspect Shannon flights

Social Democrats senator Patricia Stephenson has called on the EU’s anti-fraud watchdog to launch an investigation into the Irish government’s failure to inspect flights into Shannon that may be facilitating Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza. Senator Stephenson, who is the party’s spokesperson on foreign affairs, said: “There is credible evidence that military contractors and private […]

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EU must impose sanctions on Israeli government ministers

In the wake of the UK sanctioning two Israeli government ministers for inciting violence and violating human rights in Gaza, the EU must do the same, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “The EU response to the genocide in Gaza has been shameful. It has failed to suspend the […]

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