News

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has accused the Government of blatant hypocrisy after it emerged that €1.5 million has been spent on an advertising campaign promoting disability rights – all while the State continues to deny disabled people those very rights. Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “The disability awareness campaign, […]

The EU’s trade deal with Israel should be suspended until the Israeli government complies with international law, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “The ambivalent response of the international community to the litany of war crimes being carried out in Gaza is shameful. The UN Security Council is toothless; the UN General Assembly is […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has called on the Government and local authorities to offer every support available to households and businesses most affected by flood damage in the wake of Storm Babet. Deputy Cairns said: “The sheer scale of the clean-up operation after yesterday’s storm is staggering, with millions of euros worth of damage […]

The Government’s failure to avert tomorrow’s strike action by Section 39 workers will heap further pressure on threadbare services for the elderly and people with disabilities, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “There was an expectation that last week’s Budget would allocate funding to […]

The Irish Government must exert pressure on EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to intervene in the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “Ms von der Leyen is today in Israel and has the ear of the Israeli government. She is now perfectly positioned to make a strong […]

Disability services continue to be shamefully neglected by the Government in Budget 2024, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “People with disabilities must fight for the most basic rights from the day they are born. Despite the ongoing crisis in services, this Government continues […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has spoken out in support of Section 39 workers in community and voluntary sector organisations who are to commence indefinite strike action from Tuesday, October 17. Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “The organisations at the centre of the dispute are funded by the Health Service […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has welcomed the selection of Cllr Elisa O’Donovan as the party’s Limerick City West candidate for the 2024 Local Elections. Deputy Cairns, who took over the leadership of the Social Democrats from co-founders Róisín Shortall and Catherine Murphy earlier this year, visited the city today to meet with members of […]

We cannot – and should not – tolerate a situation in which hundreds and thousands of calves are being bred to suffer from the moment of birth The shocking maltreatment of bull calves highlighted by RTÉ Investigates tonight is a direct consequence of Government policy to encourage intensification and expansion within the dairy sector, according […]

With housing continuing to dominate the political agenda, Deputy O’Callaghan will play a key role in proposing workable solutions to the crisis Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has welcomed the appointment of Dublin Bay North TD Cian O’Callaghan as the party’s deputy leader. Deputy Cairns said: “I am so happy to announce that Cian will […]