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Responding to comments made by Fine Gael Minister Jennifer Carrol MacNeill earlier, Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said: “Minister Carroll MacNeill’s statement should be seen for the desperate distraction attempt that it is. “It is genuinely disappointing to see a senior government minister reduced to cheap negative campaigning. “From my own experience of campaigning with […]

Statement from Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns on the party’s general election results: “With the Social Democrats set to make historic gains throughout the country in this election, this has been a monumental week for me, both personally and politically. “Our success in this election is down to the calibre of our candidates and the […]

The Soc Dems have made the appointment of a senior minister for disability a dealbreaker for government formation talks Disabled people, their families and workers in the sector have all been failed by the outgoing government, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “A woman who met Simon Harris on the campaign trail was upset […]

There is an arrogance in the government parties thinking they have this election sewn up The Social Democrats have today launched their general election campaign with party leader Holly Cairns outlining the party’s dealbreakers for entering government. Speaking at the event, Cairns said: “The first thing I want to be clear about today – is […]

A major hotel in Dublin, charging exorbitant rates for rooms, cannot and should not be compared to a small cafe in West Cork Hospitality should be split between accommodation and food with a 9% VAT rate applying to food and beverages, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns said: “Small hospitality businesses are […]

Statement from Holly Cairns TD on the start of the election campaign “Elections are about the future. They are a choice about the kind of country we want to live in. “The Social Democrats want a future where every person can thrive and every community flourish. “That future starts with prioritising what is important: affordable […]

Confirmation that the optional protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will come into force in Ireland on November 30, while very welcome news, should not distract from the Government’s indefensible delay in ratifying it, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “Ireland signed the UNCRPD as far back as […]

The Social Democrats will bring a motion before the Dáil next week calling on the Government to finally act in response to Israel’s year-long genocidal campaign in Gaza. Party leader Holly Cairns said: “This Government has less than a week left in office and time is running out for Ireland to meaningfully act in the […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has urged the Government not to squander a valuable opportunity to pass the Occupied Territories Bill before the Dáil is dissolved ahead of a general election. “At the Business Committee today, the Social Democrats and Sinn Féin offered to give up a total of four hours of their Dáil time […]

The lack of a recruitment drive to fill primary care psychology posts in Cork has been described as truly shocking by Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “In response to a parliamentary question I submitted, it has been confirmed that Cork primary care services only advertised one psychology position this year – a replacement senior psychologist […]