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Not only does this raise questions for Revenue about the taxation of these gifts, it also raises further serious questions for the Master of the Rotunda Representatives of the Rotunda hospital should return to the Oireachtas Health Committee to answer questions about the gifting of fees to consultants to deliver babies, according to Social Democrats […]

The coming into force of the migration pact is a retrograde step for migrants rights in Ireland and across Europe, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon said: “I have major concerns about this pact, not least the real risk that we will see children detained in Ireland while their applications are […]

News that two consultants are seeking to carry out private practice in newly established public surgical hubs further emphasises the need to remove all private healthcare from public facilities, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice said: “New surgical hubs are being established across the country to reduce waiting lists, enabling the […]

It is beyond belief that no addiction nurses are employed in Irish prisons, despite the majority of inmates suffering from addiction, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon said: “We know that addiction is one of the primary drivers of the low level offending that makes up a massive proportion of our […]

The Government must urgently change tack after a damning assessment by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) of its untargeted response to soaring energy costs, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on energy, said: “Today’s report from the ESRI confirms what many of us have been […]

Senator Patricia Stephenson has called for strong community leadership in the wake of the horrific knife attack in Belfast this week and the racially motivated violence that followed it. She said: “As a Belfast native, I was deeply shocked by the heinous attack on Stephen Ogilvie this week and my thoughts are with him and […]

New figures showing more than half a million energy accounts in arrears must shock the Government out of its complacency, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) has revealed there were 318,735 homes – one in seven – in […]

There must be clarity and protection provided to the staff and students of Carlow College who are facing uncertainty, according to the Social Democrats’ Patricia Stephenson and Jen Cummins. Carlow Kilkenny-based Senator Patricia Stephenson said: “The closure of Carlow College marks the end of an era for Carlow. The institution has shaped generations of students, […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has demanded a full explanation from Uisce Éireann after a 60-day ‘Do Not Swim’ notice came into effect at two popular beaches in north county Dublin due to a sewage pump failure. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s environment spokesperson, said: “Fingal County Council has announced that Rush North and […]

The latest child poverty figures will be a stain on this Government’s term in office unless meaningful measures are introduced to tackle income inequality, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “The 2026 Child Poverty Monitor, published by the Children’s Rights Alliance, is a shameful […]