News

This year, Pride marks the momentous 10th anniversary of the Marriage Equality Referendum, but also presents an opportunity to reflect on the status of LGBTQ+ rights, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice and Senator Patricia Stephenson. Deputy Rice said: “This weekend, tens of thousands of people will march through Dublin to mark Pride. While […]

It’s utterly unconscionable that the government has reduced the Occupied Territories Bill to a toothless shadow of itself by removing the ban on services, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “It’s deeply disappointing but perhaps unsurprising that there is no mention of banning services in the government’s limp iteration […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

The interception of the ‘Madleen’ charity vessel and arrest of its crew by Israeli forces represents another egregious breach of international law, according to Senator Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson, who is the Social Democrats’ spokesperson on foreign affairs, said: “I would like to commend the bravery and determination of the 12 peace activists who took […]

Ireland has a legal obligation under the Genocide Convention to do everything we can to stop genocide, according to Social Democrats Foreign Affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “It is shameful that the government is hiding behind vague legal advice when it comes to preventing the Central Bank from facilitating the sale of Israeli […]

The Dáil should sit next week to fast-track the Occupied Territories Bill, according to Senator Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson, who is the party’s foreign affairs spokesperson, said: “We need to see this bill enacted as a matter of urgency, even if this means recalling the Dáil next week and delaying summer recess. “Almost six months […]

It’s beyond outrageous that the Israeli Defence Forces has fired on a peaceful European Union delegation in the West Bank, which included two Irish diplomats, according to Social Democrats Foreign Affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Irish lives were put in danger today, marking a clear escalation from the IDF and its unwillingness to […]

The European Union’s belated decision to review its trade agreement with Israel, while welcome, will not come soon enough to stave off the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza, according to Social Democrats senator Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson, who is the party’s spokesperson on foreign affairs and trade, said: “With dire warnings from the UN that […]