News

Social Democrats TD for Cork-South West, Holly Cairns, has called on the Minister for Health and the HSE to clarify why tomorrow’s scheduled vaccination of frontline staff at Bantry General Hospital has been cancelled. Holly said: “I have heard conflicting reports as to why the vaccinations were postponed. Whatever the reason, it is deeply disturbing […]

Priority for in-person learning must be based on the wellbeing and needs of the students, according to the Social Democrats. Gary Gannon TD, spokesperson for Education, stated: “Throughout this week I have highlighted the need for us to prioritise our most vulnerable students by using a similar model to the UK. While I have welcomed […]

Social Democrats TD for Cork South-West, Holly Cairns, has called for stronger consultation with the hospitality sector and extra financial supports for affected businesses as the country prepares to enter into another Level 5 lockdown. Holly said: “The very survival of this sector is under threat unless there is substantial State subvention and improved communication […]

Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns has expressed outrage at plans for a Strategic Housing Development and apartment blocks in the vicinity of Bessborough Mother and Baby Institution in Cork city. After raising the issue with the Taoiseach in the Dáil today, Holly said: “More than 900 children died while in the care of nuns at […]

Social Democrats TD for Cork South-West, Holly Cairns, has again highlighted the devastating mental toll that Covid-19 restrictions in maternity hospitals are having on expectant parents. For the past number of months, Holly has been one of the most prominent voices in the campaign to have restrictions relaxed and today voiced her frustration at the […]

Speaking on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns said it is important for the State to recognise the challenges, achievements and realities of being a person with a disability in Ireland. Holly, who is the Social Democrats spokesperson for Disability Issues, said: “This year, the World Health Organisation celebrates the […]

The Social Democrats will bring a motion to the Dáil tomorrow to oppose increased funding for Irish greyhound racing and are calling on the Government to phase out State support for the sector. The motion, which will be debated during Private Members’ Time on Wednesday, November 25, will call for the €2.4 million in increased funding earmarked for greyhound racing […]

Social Democrats TD for Cork South-West, Holly Cairns, has called on the Government to do more to address the alarming increase in domestic abuse and gender-based violence, which has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Speaking in the Dáil today, Holly said: “Safe Ireland have rightly called domestic abuse the ‘shadow pandemic’. During the first […]

Social Democrats TD for Cork South-West, Holly Cairns, has welcomed confirmation that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine has lodged an appeal against a court decision to allow large trawlers fish inside Ireland’s six-mile limit. Holly, who is the party’s spokesperson for Agriculture and the Marine, said: “The overturning of the fishing directive […]

Social Democrats TD for Cork South-West, Holly Cairns, believes that Ireland needs to look at international models when it comes to providing improved supports and services to victims of domestic violence. Holly said: “The week’s Safe Ireland report highlighted a worrying increase in people fleeing domestic violence. The figures included 3,450 women and 589 children […]