News

New Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar must follow through on his commitment to EU values and reverse Hungary’s draconian anti-LGBTI law, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has ruled that Hungary’s 2021 ‘anti-LGBTI propaganda’ law breaches Article 2 of the […]

The Irish Government must intervene to ensure the safety of Irish activists illegally detained in international waters by Israeli forces, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Yet again, we see Israel act with impunity as the latest Gaza-bound flotilla – carrying food, medicine and baby formula – is intercepted […]

An initiative by Social Democrats senator Patricia Stephenson, which will result in free travel for three months for those fleeing domestic violence, is to be introduced as a standalone scheme by Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary. Senator Stephenson said: “This proposal, which has received broad cross-party support, was introduced last October as my very first […]

Allowing 3,000 US troops to pass through Shannon Airport last month radically undermines our country’s neutrality, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “There is no other reason for the increase of US military overflights and troops through Shannon Airport than Donald Trump’s war in the Middle East. “If we […]

Ireland must join Spain and Switzerland and close its airspace to US military aircraft en route to fulfil military objectives in the Middle East, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “There were almost 250 more US military flights over Ireland since last summer than reported by the Department of […]

The Government’s attempt to ram through the Arbitration Bill without adequate scrutiny poses a serious threat to Ireland, according to Social Democrats Foreign Affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “The Arbitration Bill, which the government intends to guillotine after a debate of just one hour, poses a serious threat to this country. The Bill […]

It is disgusting that, as Israel targets and kills innocent men, women and children across Lebanon with impunity, the EU remains silent As Israel commits barbaric war crimes in Lebanon, the Taoiseach must join with the Spanish Prime Minister and demand a suspension of the EU-Israel trade agreement, according to Social Democrats Foreign Affairs spokesperson […]

Israel’s claim that a ceasefire deal to end the war in the Middle East does not include Lebanon must be immediately condemned by the Taoiseach and Tánaiste, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Ireland has a long history of peacekeeping in Lebanon through our Defence Force’s participation in UNIFIL. […]

Trump is now raving like a murderous zealot, threatening nuclear war and the complete obliteration of the Iranian people World leaders must intervene as US President Donald Trump threatens to commit war crimes of apocalyptic proportions in Iran, according to Social Democrats Foreign Affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “The United States and Israel […]

Israel’s introduction of the death penalty for Palestinians is a brazen violation of the Geneva Convention, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Israel claims to be a modern, progressive country, and though this has long been exposed as fallacy, its decision to employ the death penalty for Palestinians, and […]