The Arbitration Bill, which govt is guillotining after 1hr of debate tonight, is a threat to Ireland. The Bill only exists because the previous attempt to ratify CETA was unconstitutional. Yet Govt are denying proper legislative scrutiny of the new version. www.socialdemocrats.ie/government-r...

The by-elections are coming fast, and we feel we have real momentum. This weekend, we saw over 50 people out canvassing in Dublin Central for Daniel Ennis. There's a real appetite for positive, honest politics – and no better man to embody that than Dan. Get involved here: bit.ly/3ObVocl

Social Democrats launch ‘Solar for All’ plan to reduce energy costs for households. Supports for solar panel installation need to be dramatically expanded and improved to help households cut their energy bills... www.socialdemocrats.ie/social-democ...

As Israel commits barbaric war crimes in Lebanon, the Taoiseach must join with the Spanish Prime Minister and demand a suspension of the EU-Israel trade agreement. The ceasefire agreed between the US and Iran included an end to Israel’s attacks on Lebanon. @patriciastephenson.bsky.social

Israel’s claim that a ceasefire deal to end the war in the Middle East does not include Lebanon must be immediately condemned by the Taoiseach and Tánaiste. On Sunday, at least 11 people were killed by Israeli strikes in Lebanon, including a four year-old child. @patriciastephenson.bsky.social

The Minister of Justice signed a letter in the Council of Europe which seeks to weaken Article 3 Protections under the ECHR. ECHR is a core pillar of the Good Friday Agreement - attempts to weaken it could seriously damage the crediblity of the GFA and social cohesion within the North.

"Trump is now raving like a murderous zealot, threatening nuclear war and the complete obliteration of the Iranian people. Moreover, he has the means to make good on this threat and no moral compass that would stop him." Read @patriciastephenson.bsky.social full statement: tinyurl.com/3pcvf8f2

The news about the loss of lives of at least 37 people in two devastating shipwrecks in the Mediterranean, between Libya and Lampedusa and between Bodrum and Kos, is deeply saddening. 1/2

Israel claims to be a modern, progressive country, and though this has long been exposed as fallacy, its decision to employ the death penalty for Palestinians reasserts the barbaric nature of its regime. This is another tool to subjugate the Palestinian people. @patriciastephenson.bsky.social

The Occupied Territories Bill received cross-party support in the Foreign Affairs Committee. During the last general election, FF and FG promised to pass it. Now, they're hoping we all just forget about it and move on. Shame on them.

The Minister for Justice signed a letter of 27 countries, proposing to alter ECHR Article 3 to reduce the threshold on torture & inhumane treatment. The Irish Govt wax lyrical about their commitment to Int’ Law, while signing a letter which has been described as insidious by human rights experts.

This week in the Infrastructure Committee, we lost a vote to conduct pre legislative scrutiny on the upcoming Critical Infrastructure Bill. This decision is shameful. This Govt. has sat on their hands for years, doing little to improve or expand infrastructure. 1/2

It's beyond pathetic that our Govt has buried the Occupied Territories Bill while Israel ramps up its ethnic cleansing in Palestine and Lebanon. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael twiddle their thumbs and avert their gaze while innocents face annihilation. @patriciastephenson.bsky.social

I met with the Spanish Ambassador to Ireland to discuss solidarity with Spain. The Social Democrats commend principled & anti-war stance of Spain’s Prime Minister. I would like to see Ireland lead a principled alliance of EU countries in the face of the worsening threats to international law.

Micheál Martin must clarify if he formally invited US President Donald Trump to Ireland for a State visit later this year. Any State visit would involve Trump being feted and celebrated in this country – and cost the Irish people an enormous sum of money.

The Taoiseach remained almost entirely mute yesterday in the Oval Office, despite President Trump's tirade of misinformation. Now rumours are flying about a potential state visit by the US President to Ireland. We need clarity – has an invitation been extended to Trump, or is this just bluster?

The Irish govt seeks to amend Art 3 and Art 8 of the ECHR as they apply to migration cases. This insidious shift in policy is very concerning. The ECHR protects everyone's fundamental human rights. It's also central to the Good Friday Agreement. We can't allow human rights law to be watered down.

The evidence that the U.S. hit the girls’ school in Iran, killing scores of children, keeps growing. It’s horrific and not something from which the media, or anyone else, should just move on.

Letter to Taoiseach requesting urgent action in light of the illegal war with Iran and global uncertainty inflicted on us all by Trump’s rogue administration.

Brilliant to see Spain taking a moral position on Trump. We need more leadership like this in the EU, including Irish leaders. While Trump denigrated Spain, Merz said nothing. So much for EU solidarity. Silence is complicity. Pandering to Trump, a warmongering bully, is no longer an option.

Energy prices are rising again and households are already under pressure. Heating oil has jumped while hundreds of thousands of people are already behind on their bills. People can’t absorb another shock - the Government must act to protect households from soaring energy costs.

With Israel continuing its genocide & blockading Gaza & bombing Iran and Lebanon, putting the lives of Irish peacekeepers in danger as well as thousands of citizens in the region, it’s inconceivable that the Ireland-Israel fixture would go ahead. The Govt must support the FIA to boycott Israel 1/2

It is scandalous that Irish citizens stuck in a war zone are being charged €800 by their own Govt so they can get home safely. Irish people fleeing conflict in the Gulf should be assisted, not fleeced. This is a shakedown, not an evacuation. @patriciastephenson.bsky.social

The Irish government must give a categoric commitment that Shannon Airport will not be used to launch attacks on Iran as part of the and Israel’s illegal war. www.socialdemocrats.ie/shannon-airp...

The US/Israeli bombardment of Iran over the weekend is a clear breach of international law and completely destabilises an already volatile region. Govt must now prioritise the safety of our UNIFIL peacekeeping troops in Lebanon and Irish citizens in Gulf countries. @patriciastephenson.bsky.social

The violence we're seeing in the Middle East is spiralling out of control. We need to see an evacuation plan in place so that Irish citizens in the region, as well as Irish peacekeepers in Lebanon, can return home safely. There is no time to waste.

The Iranian regime is abhorrent. At the same time, a breach of international law by the US & Israel has taken place, plunging the Middle East & the world into insecurity. We must condemn all violations of international law and the UN Charter if we have any hope of retaining a rules-based order.

Just watched Trump’s remarks. The nuclear argument is incoherent (“They will be totally — again — obliterated”?) Can’t figure out what his argument actually is on an imminent threat to the U.S. And he ends by making clear the U.S. has begun a regime change war.

Bombs & warmongering will not lead to peace or global security for anyone. It is innocent civilians who will lose the most. The escalation of violence by the US & Israel is a direct provocation and it’s not borne out of concern for the human rights of the Iranian people.

www.eolasmagazine.ie/where-is-the... Ireland cannot dine out forever on the actions of our past. If the Govt. continues to fail to meet its legal obligations to ban trade with the illegally occupied settlements, we will lose our international credibility.

🗣️ "In the context of the removal of the triple lock, that is actually what it represents." – Social Democrats Senator Patricia Stephenson 🗣️ "How is the context of the triple lock relevant to this?" – Guest presenter Shane Coleman #TonightVMTV #MaritimeSecurityStrategy

The government has now received legal advice from the Attorney General and should pass the Occupied Territories Bill, and must now do so without delay. www.socialdemocrats.ie/government-h...

🗣️ "This entire piece of legislation seems to be motivated by [government’s] relationship with investor funds." – Social Democrats Senator Patricia Stephenson #TonightVMTV #NewRentRules

Around 200 schools received letters 2 weeks ago notifying them of a reduction in their SNA allocations. This was a slap in the face to hardworking staff & represented a lack of understanding of the crucial role SNAs play in keeping children safe and supporting disability inclusion in schools,

Students are budgeting every cent just to get through the week. Parents are paying more in rent for their children than their own mortgages. This is what the cost of living crisis looks like for students.

Ahead of International Women’s Day, @patriciastephenson.bsky.social will be hosting an evening of conversations on women, peace and security. Join us on Tuesday, 3 March at 7pm in Buswell’s Hotel, with voices from Ukraine, Palestine, Kurdistan and Iran. tinyurl.com/492zb7v2

This week, the govt did an about turn on their legislation on short term lets. Why? Well... Join Rory Hearne and Patricia Stephenson as they discuss this issue and more on A Different View / Súil Eile, available on YouTube now. Click the link in our bio to watch the full episode!

UEFA must read the room and ban Israel from taking part in its competitions. State inaction has contributed to this grim state of affairs. How can we expect sports regulatory bodies to ban Israel from participating when our government won’t even pass the Occupied Territories Bill?

1 in 5 women experience perinatal mental health difficulties in the first year after they give birth. I fully support the Year of Care campaign by Aolish Gormley which sets out a vision for truly supportive maternal health care.

When asked for an update on the Occupied Territories Bill, Minister McEntee said she couldn't provide a timeline. This is beyond frustrating. This Bill has passed through both the Dáil and Seanad, and unanimously through the Foreign Affairs Committee. So why is the govt continuing to hold it up?

It’s a great that the Govt can say they’re waiting on the AG advice - they’ve been trotting out that line for months. Meanwhile, Israel continues to act with impunity & approves plans for rapid annexation of the West Bank, while civilians are killed in Gaza.

Holly Cairns says government is trying to 'gut or shelve' the Occupied Territories bill jrnl.ie/6949634

Deeply concerned by this report on deportation flights removing Palestinians from the US to West Bank - the flights refuelled in Ireland. This is beyond disturbing and raises human rights concerns. Ireland must not be complicit by allowing refuelling in Shannon www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

We had excellent discussion today with Senator @patriciastephenson.bsky.social about Amendments to the Criminal Law & Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill - in particular, the expansion of protections to other forms of personal records & the need for transparency in the Section 19A process

Endometriosis is a debilitating & life changing disease. Treatment abroad schemes are a welcome bridge until we have national expertise and treatment capacity - but it has to work for endo patients & right now there are significant access barriers.

Israel continues to murder with impunity while European leaders talk about the progress of the Gaza peace agreement. There is no peace; last night, at least 21 Palestinians were killed in attacks by the Israeli Defence Forces, including several children. @patriciastephenson.bsky.social

Appalling & outrageous that Israel is blocking medical evacuees from leaving Gaza while continuing to be allowed to engage in the “Board of Peace”, a complete charade. www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/2/...

France taking out criminal proceedings against X - including raiding their offices today. Absolutely no reason Ireland should not be doing the same. X have broken our domestic laws - and the govt continues to drag their feet.

AI chat bots risk irreparable harm to our society. Disturbing cases have emerged of chat bots encouraging people to harm themselves, or being programmed to act as pliant, subservient girlfriends. We have sleepwalked into this crisis. Now it’s critical that we catch up with this technology.