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Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall has expressed grave concerns at the Government’s delay in publishing a green list of countries that are deemed safe or low-risk. Speaking earlier today, Deputy Shortall said we now have “the worst of both worlds” when it comes to the serious risk posed by tourists travelling into Ireland from countries […]

Holly Cairns TD, the Social Democrats spokesperson for Agriculture and the Marine, has called for a task force to review the meat processing industry. After hearing from representatives of the Migrants’ Rights Centre and Meat Industry Ireland, Deputy Cairns believes that the levels of uncertainty around the Covid clusters in some plants and concerns for […]

The co-leader of the Social Democrats and TD for Kildare North, Catherine Murphy, has welcomed the National Transport Authority (NTA) progress report on the Royal Canal and Grand Canal Greenways. In response to a Parliamentary Question tabled by Deputy Murphy, the NTA outlined that works on all Dublin City sections of the Royal Canal are […]

Last year more than 4,300 people were hospitalised with the seasonal flu in Ireland – more than the total number hospitalised so far with Covid-19. Speaking in today’s Dáil, Róisín Shortall, TD and co-leader of the Social Democrats, called on Government to secure additional supply of the flu vaccine to counteract a surge of flu […]

The co-leader of the Social Democrats, Catherine Murphy TD, today called on the Taoiseach to outline how prepared the Government was to deal with a second wave of Covid-19, should it occur, in the nursing home sector. Speaking in the Dáil during Leaders’ Questions, Deputy Murphy said: “We now know from the numbers of clusters […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow Jennifer Whitmore has today offered her support to a group of mothers who formed the Extend Maternity Campaign and who are calling for the extension of Maternity Leave and pay by three months. Deputy Whitmore met with campaigners and members of the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) outside Leinster […]

Despite Government advice to wear face masks in public spaces, compliance is still very low. Face masks should be a requirement in high risk spaces to protect public health as the economy reopens, according to Róisín Shortall, TD and co-leader of the Social Democrats. Speaking on the matter, Deputy Shortall said, “The Government needs to […]

Holly Cairns, Social Democrats spokesperson for Rural and Community Development, has written to new Ministers to highlight the importance of rural broadband. The Covid-19 emergency has exacerbated the extensive issues with internet connectivity for businesses and community in rural areas. Holly said: “Every week I get several calls and messages about the poor or non-existent […]

The Irish Government needs to take immediate action on foreign travel to prioritise public health and provide clarity to the public, according to Róisín Shortall TD and co-leader of the Social Democrats. Deputy Shortall commented, “The EU yesterday announced a green list of countries that it considers safe for non-essential travel, which excludes Ireland. “There […]

The Social Democrats have tonight welcomed the election of their Councillor, Mary Callaghan, to the role of Deputy Lord Mayor. Callaghan, a Finglas native herself, ran for the first time in the 2019 Local Elections and was elected to represent the Ballymun/Finglas Ward. A former computer programmer, Mary has worked both in Ireland and abroad […]