News

Dublin North West TD and co-leader of the Social Democrats, Róisín Shortall, said there is considerable disappointment and anger about An Bord Pleanála’s decision to grant permission for the Omni Strategic Housing Development (SHD). Deputy Shortall said: “A 12-storey, 324 apartment development is completely unsuitable for Santry and utterly out of sync with the character […]

Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Agriculture and the Marine, has said that the Government’s new penalty points system for the fishing industry is deeply flawed and not fit for purpose. Holly said: “The penalty points system is designed to target breaches of fisheries rules but those working in the industry are concerned that […]

Gary Gannon TD, Social Democrats spokesperson on Education, has said that the reopening of schools has led to serious concerns for families where there are underlying health conditions. Deputy Gannon said: “Last week, I raised a situation facing one family where a mother with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), who without adequate guidance and support from […]

Catherine Murphy TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has called on the Minister for Education to deal with serious deficiencies in school transport services. Deputy Murphy said: “Following NPHET advice at the end of August, major shortcomings in the provision of school bus services have arisen as measures to ensure social distancing are phased in […]

The head of the UK’s Government legal department, Jonathan Jones, has quit over suggestions that Boris Johnson is trying to row back on parts of last year’s Brexit deal relating to Northern Ireland. Commenting on the development, Social Democrats Brexit spokesperson, Cian O’Callaghan TD, said: “It appears from the resignation of Jonathan Jones that the […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, has called for proper consultation with groups representing people living in poverty and disability organisations when climate action policies are being developed. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Climate, made her comments following the recent publication of the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy by […]

Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy TD called on the Minister for Health to review the new regulations on keeping records of food consumed by customers in pubs and restaurants. Deputy Murphy said: “The regulations seem daft in that they penalise all those pubs and restaurants who are observing the law and existing regulations governing their […]

Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats spokesperson on Further and Higher Education, has said that any increase in third level places this year must be matched by additional State funding. Holly said: “The reopening of third level institutions will be as challenging as the reopening of our schools. Colleges and universities are doing the best they […]

Two Social Democrats TDs – Gary Gannon and Holly Cairns – have called on the Minister for Higher Education to clarify issues raised by CAO applicants who sat the Leaving Certificate in previous years but will not benefit from predicted grades inflation when results are released next week. Gary Gannon TD, the party’s spokesperson on […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore said today that the findings of a UNICEF survey on the mental wellbeing of children and adolescents highlight the need for the Government to invest in further supports for young people as our schools reopen. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Children, said: “The findings of the UNICEF […]