News

Following the Taoiseach’s announcement yesterday that restrictions may be eased in stages every two to three weeks, Róisín Shortall, TD and co-leader of the Social Democrats, has repeated calls for an expert-led Task Force to plan a coordinated, cross-sector exit strategy. She said, “While public health authorities will of course have the principal input, other […]

Economic Response to Covid crisis cannot replicate the mistakes of the last recession Social Democrats co-leader Roísín Shortall said that today’s economic update from Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe did little more than set out possible scenarios but failed to provide any real detail regarding the Government’s response to the economic fallout of the Covid crisis. […]

The failure to quickly and efficiently redeploy HSE staff to nursing homes is leaving our most vulnerable citizens more susceptible to Covid-19. In light of the prevalence of Covid-19 in nursing homes and the high numbers of deaths, this must become the number one priority for Government, according to Róisín Shortall, TD and co-leader of […]

Social Democrats T.D. for Dublin Bay North, Deputy Cian O’Callaghan, has called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to do more for the people of Palestine who are at grave risk due to COVID 19: “The Irish people have a long history of standing in solidarity with the people of Palestine – now […]

It is time for the Taoiseach to intervene with the pharmaceutical companies that are holding propriety rights over a critical reagent used in the test for Covid-19, according to Róisín Shortall, TD and co-leader of the Social Democrats. Calling on the Taoiseach in the Dáil today, she said, “There is a logjam caused at the […]

Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has urged Minister Heather Humphries to ensure Debenhams do not appoint a liquidator until the Covid-19 crisis has passed and the, almost 2,000, workers in Irish stores are afforded the opportunity for a full industrial relations process, which is not possible under current conditions. Mr Gannon pointed out that these […]

The Social Democrats have called for the Minister for Health to provide full information to the public on the situation in nursing homes in respect of Covid-19. In the absence of this information there is growing public concern about how this important sector of the health service is responding to the health crisis. Making the […]

There is a need for clarity from the Government to fully explain the reason behind the long delays in testing for Covid 19 in order to respond effectively to this health crisis and to maintain public confidence in the ‘Test and Trace’ strategy, according to Róisín Shortall TD, Social Democrats Co-leader. Deputy Shortall said: “While […]

The particular challenges presented for students in the higher and further education sectors are highlighted by a call for a ‘No Detriment’ policy for third level education, which is supported by the Social Democrats. Gary Gannon TD, Social Democrats spokesperson on Education said: “We strongly support a ‘No Detriment’ or ‘Help, Not Hinder’ approach for […]

Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy has reacted angrily today to news that tax exiles will be given a special dispensation allowing them to circumvent the current Revenue tax residency rules whilst still avoiding pay taxes. Catherine Murphy questioned what had prompted this unusual decision by Revenue and who signed off on it. She also pointed […]