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The Taoiseach and Minister for Justice must meet with the survivors of convicted paedophile Bill Kenneally and deliver a State apology to those who fought long and hard for justice, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon said: “At the outset, I want to state that it is outrageous that victims were […]

The Government’s chaotic application process for the School Summer Programme – formerly known as July Provision – has caused needless stress and anxiety for parents of children with additional needs, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “The Department of Education’s handling of the Summer Programme […]

Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson’s Bill to give greater powers to prevent munitions being flown through Shannon Airport and Irish airspace, along with a suite of other measures which will seek to prevent ICE deportation flights stopping in Ireland, will be debated in the Seanad tomorrow. Senator Stephenson said: “This Bill seeks to […]

The Government’s determination to remove the triple lock as part of the Defence Amendment Bill does not have public support and will continue to be strongly resisted by the Opposition, according to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney, who is the party’s spokesperson on defence, said: “The Minister for Defence has today sought Cabinet […]

An extensive suite of measures is needed to address the financial precarity of caring, according to Social Democrats social protection spokesperson Eoin Hayes. Deputy Hayes said: “Thousands of carers have been forced to cut back on heating and eating in order to provide for some of our most vulnerable people. The cost of care has […]

The FAI’s request for the Republic of Ireland’s home fixture against Israel in the UEFA Nations League to be moved to a neutral venue does not change the fact that the game should not be played in the first place, according to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney, who is the party’s spokesperson on […]

The Dáil will debate a Social Democrats’ motion on Wednesday to put further pressure on the Government to prevent the Ireland-Israel fixture in the UEFA Nations League from going ahead. Deputy Sinéad Gibney, who is the party’s spokesperson on sport, said: “So far, all we have got from this Government is political doublespeak, with some […]

The Transport Minister must explain why the replacement of Irish Rail’s IT system is such an omnishambles and who is responsible, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who sits on the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee, said: “Last month, it was revealed that Irish Rail had written down the value of a new […]

There cannot be one rule for the Rotunda and one rule for every other public hospital The Health Minister must hold firm and ensure the Rotunda agrees to abide by State policy before sitting down to a meeting with its representatives, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is chair of […]

The imposing of a travel ban on Israel’s most far-right ministers must be only the beginning of Ireland’s actions to sanction Netanyahu’s rogue government, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich are the embodiment of everything that is evil about Israel’s genocidal regime […]