News

Social Democrats spokesperson for Agriculture, Holly Cairns TD, and the party’s spokesperson for Climate Action and Environment, Jennifer Whitmore TD, believe that the Government’s new Forestry Bill is significantly flawed and in direct contravention of EU Directives and the Aarhus Convention which protect people’s rights to appeal decisions in environmental planning. Deputy Whitmore and Deputy […]

Following publication of the July figures of the number of people who are homeless, Cian O’Callaghan TD, Social Democrats spokesperson on Housing, said: “The increase in the number of people who are becoming homeless is inexcusable. Since the outbreak of Covid-19, significant progress was made in reducing the number of people who are homeless. “It […]

Jennifer Whitmore TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Children, has called on the Government to fast-track Covid testing for childcare staff. Deputy Whitmore said: “I welcome confirmation from the Department of Health that the testing of school children and staff for Covid-19 is to be fast-tracked to enable results within 24 to 48 hours. “However, this same […]

Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Further and Higher Education, has called for measures to support students seeking accommodation who have less protections than other renters. Holly said: “Students and their families are facing an incredibly hard year with uncertainty about how teaching and learning will be delivered in colleges. This means students are […]

Jennifer Whitmore TD, Social Democrats spokesperson on Children, said that the Government must try to ensure that they communicate public health information for the childcare sector in a way that does not appear to contradict HSE guidelines. Deputy Whitmore said: “I welcome the HSE’s latest guidelines for parents as children begin to return to childcare […]

Social Democrats TD for Cork South-West, Holly Cairns, is seeking immediate action and greater consultation with communities after successive flood events in the past two weeks. Holly said: “We’re now in our third week of flooding in West Cork. Towns and communities, including Bandon, Skibbereen and Bantry, have been affected by floods recently. “This situation […]

The Social Democrats have called for mobile Covid-19 testing units to be rolled out for schools to help identify outbreaks and prevent widespread closures in the event of clusters emerging. Gary Gannon TD, the party’s Education spokesperson, said: “As primary and secondary schools start to reopen this week, there is understandable anxiety among parents, students, […]

Catherine Murphy TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, calls on the Minister for Justice to establish if the appearance and comments of a member of the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) at a rally denying the Covid-19 pandemic and campaigning against the wearing of masks is contrary to the code of governance and ethics required […]

Acknowledging the Government’s decision, following calls from the Social Democrats and other opposition parties, to recall the Dáil early, Catherine Murphy TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats calls their decision inadequate and calls for the Dáil to come back this week. “There’s too much at stake for the Government to be waiting around. Public confidence […]

Catherine Murphy TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has called on the Taoiseach and appropriate ministers to come to Kildare to see first-hand the impact of the lockdown extension on local residents and businesses. Deputy Murphy said: “This decision will be greeted with understandable fury in Kildare and the Government needs to provide a comprehensive […]