News

Serious questions need to be asked about the structure and resourcing of single sex schools by the department, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “The findings published today should make everyone in education policy stop and think – we’ve known for some time that same-sex schooling can limit subject choice, especially […]

The Seanad will debate a Social Democrats’ Bill tomorrow (Wednesday, October 22) which aims to establish a free travel scheme for survivors of domestic violence and their dependents. Launching her first Bill, Senator Patricia Stephenson said: “Domestic violence, which mainly affects women, can force those fleeing their abusers into poverty. Having to escape an abusive […]

Thousands more households face falling into arrears on their electricity bills this winter as SSE Airtricity’s latest price increase comes into effect from today, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “SSE Airtricity has now put up its standard variable rate by 9.5 per cent, which […]

“Fine Gael sunk to new depths at the weekend with their presidential candidate attacking Catherine Connolly’s work as a barrister and the party putting out a Trumpian social media attack ad on the same issue. “It is an essential principle of our legal system that barristers are not associated with their clients and that barristers […]

The Minister for Justice must not remain silent on Fine Gael’s scurrilous attacks on the legal profession as part of its smear campaign against Catherine Connolly, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s justice spokesperson, said: “Not only are senior Fine Gael figures – including Helen McEntee, a former […]

TUSLA has been told on countless occasions that Special Emergency Arrangements for unaccompanied children are inappropriate and present serious risks, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “My thoughts are with the family of Vadym Davydenko, the Ukrainian teenager who died tragically in Donaghmede on Wednesday. A Garda investigation is now […]

Cash-based shift swapping in Irish prisons is a scandal which puts lives at risk and exposes a complete failure of basic oversight, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon said: “What we learned on last night’s Prime Time report was completely shocking – cash based shift-swapping in Irish prisons and an entire […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has today announced an update in spokespeople roles in the parliamentary party. Deputy Cairns said: “Today, I am announcing an update to spokespeople roles – namely that Deputy Eoin Hayes will be our Social Protection spokesperson. “I know Deputy Hayes will work hard in this brief, on behalf of some […]

Confirmation of yet another delay to the National Children’s Hospital shows that the government has completely lost control of the multi-billion-euro project, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is chair of the Oireachtas Health Committee, said: “It is utterly unacceptable that the latest completion date of November 24 is now […]

It is abhorrent that Gazans have already been shot dead by Israeli forces just two days after committing to a ceasefire, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “This morning, five people were killed in the Shejaiya neighbourhood of Gaza City – the Israeli Defence Forces couldn’t even go 48 […]