News

Jennifer Whitmore TD, the Social Democrats spokesperson for the Environment, and Holly Cairns TD, spokesperson for Agriculture, have called on the Government to properly resource the National Parks and Wildlife Service and to establish a specialised Garda unit to deal with wildlife crime. The TDs have highlighted the fact that the number of successful prosecutions […]

Holly Cairns TD, the Social Democrats spokesperson on Higher Education, says the Government’s announcement of a €160m funding package for the third level sector falls far short of what is required. Deputy Cairns said: “While any increase in financial supports for students would be welcome under normal circumstances, we are not living in ordinary times […]

Speaking after the conclusion of the EU Council summit this morning, Holly Cairns TD, the Social Democrats spokesperson on Agriculture, said: “In real terms, CAP for the next seven years is going to be down by about 9%, which is worrying for Ireland’s agricultural sector. “It is essential that the Government devises strategies to maintain […]

The Social Democrats have today announced spokesperson roles for the 33rd Dáil. Co-leader Catherine Murphy said: “In announcing our spokesperson roles today, I am confirming that the Social Democrats will continue to work as we did in the last Dáil – by being constructive and practical but also by not being afraid to ask the tough […]

Holly Cairns TD, the Social Democrats spokesperson on Agriculture, said today that farmers need to be supported by the Government to help prevent workplace accidents. The Cork South West TD made her comments as Farm Safety Week got underway and shocking statistics on farm accidents were released by the National Office of Clinical Audit. The […]

Social Democrats TD for Cork South West, Holly Cairns, today accused the Government of abdicating its responsibilities for people with disabilities by being overly reliant on the voluntary sector and family carers. At the Special Covid Committee this morning, representatives from the disability sector highlighted the many challenges for people with disabilities in our society […]

Gary Gannon TD, Social Democrats spokesperson on Education, and Holly Cairns TD, spokesperson on Further and Higher Education, have expressed concern at Minister Simon Harris’s statement that the cost of providing third level education will increase in the short-term as a result of COVID-19. Both TDs are seeking clarity on the matter and an assurance […]

Cork South West TD, Holly Cairns, has criticised the delay on promised legislation for the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and called on the Tanáiste, Leo Varadkar TD, to commit to bring legislation forward urgently. The Convention protects and ensures the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights […]

The Social Democrats today publish the motion on Workers’ Rights that they will bring forward in their first Private Members’ time in the 33rd Dáil. The motion will be debated on Wednesday, July 15, at 8pm. The motion aims to increase protection for workers across a range of areas, including low-pay, precarious work, collective bargaining […]

Holly Cairns TD, the Social Democrats spokesperson for Agriculture and the Marine, has called for a task force to review the meat processing industry. After hearing from representatives of the Migrants’ Rights Centre and Meat Industry Ireland, Deputy Cairns believes that the levels of uncertainty around the Covid clusters in some plants and concerns for […]