News

There has been an erosion of trust between the Department of Health and Children’s Health Ireland and the families affected by the spinal care scandal, who have been neglected throughout the review process, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is Chair of the Oireachtas health committee, said: “We’re told that […]

Quality and value for money public are at the heart of a bill on public procurement, which Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney will bring for debate at second stage in the Dáil tomorrow (Thursday, February 12). Commenting on the Quality in Public Procurement (Contract Preparation and Award Criteria) Bill 2021, which was originally introduced by […]

The government must take control of the disastrous delivery of the National Children’s Hospital by issuing legal proceedings against BAM, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who chairs the Oireachtas health committee, said: “At today’s sitting of the health committee, Minister Carroll MacNeill said that she would not adopt a similar […]

Social Democrats TDs Cian O’Callaghan and Gary Gannon have criticised the government for announcing the latest Stardust redress scheme without any consultation with survivors. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is a TD for Dublin Bay North, said: “As we approach the 45th anniversary of the Stardust fire tragedy, the government has added further stress and pain to […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore today attended an event to announce details of the Affordable Ireland Campaign’s cost-of-living demonstration march, which will take place in Dublin city centre on February 28. The campaign is backed by the Social Democrats and other Opposition parties, and includes various trade unions, students’ organisations, the Irish Traveller Movement and […]

Plans for a new phase of the Basic Income for the Arts scheme, while welcome, have been undermined by the government’s shoddy treatment of existing recipients, according to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney, who is the party’s arts spokesperson, said: “The government’s handling of this issue has been shambolic, with artists participating in […]

The government’s dilution of short-term rental restrictions is a slap in the face for renters, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “The changes to regulations, that were agreed by coalition leaders last night on short-term lets, will now restrict new rules to towns with populations of more than 20,000 – […]

The number of mental health patients being held in prisons has reached crisis levels, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice said: “I visited Cork Prison at the end of October and was very concerned about its conditions, especially for vulnerable prisoners experiencing severe mental health difficulties. “The prison’s governor and staff […]

Hi everyone, Welcome to the Social Democrats Conference, coming to you live from Cork City. It is so good to be here and to see all of you. I also want to welcome everyone tuning in at home. Thank you Cian, for your introduction. I’ve said it before and I’ll … never stop saying it, […]

Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee must immediately intervene in the case of Irish man Seamus Culleton’s detention by ICE in the US, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Seamus Culleton has been in ICE detention in the US since September of last year and has been subject to […]