News

The Government’s failure to secure a financial contribution from religious orders towards the redress scheme for survivors of mother and baby homes has been strongly criticised by Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “It is astonishing to learn that, to date, not one cent has been handed over by the church bodies complicit in the inhumane […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has backed calls for a new law that would suspend the parental rights of those found guilty of domestic homicide. Deputy Cairns made her comments after James Kilroy received a life sentence today for the brutal murder of his wife Valerie French in June 2019. “My deepest sympathies go to […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has expressed disappointment at the re-election of Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission. “The outcome of today’s vote represents a missed opportunity by MEPs to restore some credibility to the EU, which has been badly damaged on the world stage by its callous indifference to the […]

The HSE must make a full statement following the resignation this week of two prominent campaigners from a national steering group tasked with improving children’s disability services, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “It is deeply concerning to learn that two of the three […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has described a violent attack on asylum seekers in Dublin city centre last night as a despicable new low. “It is heartbreaking to think that 15 vulnerable people seeking International Protection in this country could be subjected to such brutality on the streets of our capital city. “Just hours after […]

The Government must offer an official State apology in the Dáil to all thalidomide survivors in Ireland, including those it has failed to acknowledge, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “After decades of campaigning for justice, recognition and adequate compensation, thalidomide survivors have been […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has strongly condemned today’s violence in Coolock. “There is no place in society for the type of despicable criminal behaviour we witnessed today on Dublin’s northside. “Again, we have seen hysteria, fear and hatred whipped up over proposed accommodation for asylum seekers, leading to attacks on gardai and workers, as […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has given a guarded welcome to the Government’s commitment to review the system in place for granting taxi licences to drivers. “In the Dáil today, my party proposed a range of measures to tackle the epidemic of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in this country. “We called on the Government […]

The circumstances under which taxi licences are revoked and suspended now urgently need to be clarified  News that taxi driver Raymond Shorten is facing sentencing for the rape of a child – mere weeks after he was convicted of raping two young women in his cab – is shocking and raises questions for the taxi […]

The Dáil will debate a Social Democrats’ motion on Wednesday, July 10, calling on the Government to match its words with action on adopting a zero tolerance approach to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Party leader Holly Cairns said: “Just last night, a harrowing RTÉ Investigates documentary revealed details of historic abuse allegations made by […]