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An Bord Pleanála reached a humane decision on this sensitive matter An Bord Pleanála’s refusal to grant planning permission for a large development on the site of the Bessborough Mother and Baby Home is the correct decision, according to Social Democrats TD, and member of the Oireachtas Children’s Committee, Holly Cairns. Holly said: “I welcome […]

The vote to repeal the Eighth Amendment was a momentous day for women’s rights in this country – but much work remains to be done, according to Social Democrats Social Justice Spokesperson Holly Cairns. “Today is the third anniversary of the vote to amend the Eighth Amendment – a vote that dismantled decades of stigma, […]

Six years ago, this month, the people of Ireland gave a mandate to deliver equality for LGBTI people. That work is not yet done. Ireland remains ranked at 15th this year in the annual ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map published today, which assesses the legal and policy situation for LGBTI+ people in all countries in Europe. The Map […]

Having a baby should be a joyful experience and instead it is being turned into something distressing and stressful by these intransigent rules It’s hard to avoid the conclusion that continued restrictions on partners at maternity hospitals are anything other than misogynistic and cruel, according to Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns said: “It […]

Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns says she is disappointed at the failure of the Taoiseach to acknowledge the easing of maternity hospital restrictions in his announcement on reopening the country. Holly said: “After months of uncertainty, the HSE has finally confirmed a uniform, nationwide approach to the easing of restrictions at maternity hospitals. It emerged […]

– Birth partners should be reclassified as ‘essential accompanying person’ instead of ‘visitor’ for all stages of the maternity journey, says Holly Cairns TD Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns has called on the Taoiseach to take a uniformed approach to restrictions at maternity hospitals when he announces the phased reopening of the country. Holly said: […]

The Social Democrats have accused the Government of attempting to railroad the National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF) through the Dáil without adequate pre-legislative scrutiny. Holly Cairns TD, who is the party’s spokesperson for the Marine, said: “The time allocated for a debate on this topic tomorrow is wholly inadequate to address the myriad of issues […]

The Social Democrats have called on the Government to demonstrate moral leadership by backing the campaign for an intellectual property rights waiver on the production of vaccines. Holly Cairns TD, who is the party’s spokesperson for Social Justice, said: “While the Irish response to the devastating humanitarian crisis unfolding in India is welcome, the real […]

Reacting to the destructive weekend fires in Killarney National Park, Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns has called on the Minister for Agriculture to ensure the sustainable protection of uplands in ongoing CAP reform negotiations. Holly, who is the party’s spokesperson on Agriculture, said: “Although the devastating fire in Killarney is the most prominent one, there […]

– TDs from all sides of the House need to scrutinise any deal’ Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns has accused the Minister for Agriculture of negotiating with the European Commission on CAP reform without proper Dáil oversight or input from Irish farming organisations. Holly said: “We have a right to know that our food is […]