News

Gary Gannon TD, Social Democrats spokesperson on Education, and Holly Cairns TD, spokesperson on Further and Higher Education, have expressed concern at Minister Simon Harris’s statement that the cost of providing third level education will increase in the short-term as a result of COVID-19. Both TDs are seeking clarity on the matter and an assurance […]

Cork South West TD, Holly Cairns, has criticised the delay on promised legislation for the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and called on the Tanáiste, Leo Varadkar TD, to commit to bring legislation forward urgently. The Convention protects and ensures the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights […]

The Social Democrats today publish the motion on Workers’ Rights that they will bring forward in their first Private Members’ time in the 33rd Dáil. The motion will be debated on Wednesday, July 15, at 8pm. The motion aims to increase protection for workers across a range of areas, including low-pay, precarious work, collective bargaining […]

Holly Cairns TD, the Social Democrats spokesperson for Agriculture and the Marine, has called for a task force to review the meat processing industry. After hearing from representatives of the Migrants’ Rights Centre and Meat Industry Ireland, Deputy Cairns believes that the levels of uncertainty around the Covid clusters in some plants and concerns for […]

Holly Cairns, Social Democrats spokesperson for Rural and Community Development, has written to new Ministers to highlight the importance of rural broadband. The Covid-19 emergency has exacerbated the extensive issues with internet connectivity for businesses and community in rural areas. Holly said: “Every week I get several calls and messages about the poor or non-existent […]

Cork South West TD, Holly Cairns, has highlighted the need for immediate action on supporting victims and survivors of domestic violence. Cork City and County has one domestic violence refuge, which has six units for families; however, due to Covid-19 restrictions that has now been reduced to two units. Holly has called on the Minister […]

Speaking at the Special Committee on Covid-19 Response, Holly Cairns TD, drew attention to the unique challenges faced by island and Gaeltacht communities in recovering from the effects of the Covid pandemic. Holly called for targeted supports for these communities. Holly said: “We should commend island communities, such as Bere, Sherkin, Heir and Cape Clear […]

Social Democrats spokesperson on Rural and Community Development, Holly Cairns has stressed the need for both joined-up thinking from government and a commitment to working with affected communities in creating robust flood defences and mitigation strategies. Speaking on the government’s Annual Statement on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development, Holly raised the importance of flood […]

Holly Cairns, Social Democrat spokesperson on Agriculture, Food, and the Marine, raised the issue of supporting small fishing communities in the Dáil. Speaking on the government’s Annual Statement on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development, Holly highlighted the importance of small piers and marine infrastructure to sustainable fishing. Holly explains: “Last week was World Oceans […]

Cork South West TD, Holly Cairns, Social Democrat spokesperson on Agriculture, Food, and the Marine, highlighted the need for a just transition and creativity to be at the heart of climate action on agriculture and fishing. Speaking in the Dáil on the government’s Annual Statement on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development, Holly stressed that […]

Cork South West TD, Holly Cairns, Social Democrat spokesperson on Agriculture, Food, and the Marine, has called on Minister Creed to immediately review the Covid-19 tie-up scheme. It is designed to adjust the supply of fish coming onto a currently depressed market and protect quota availability for later in the year; however, many fishing communities […]

Speaking in the Dáil, on Rural and Community Development, Cork South West TD Holly Cairns, called on Minister Ring to ensure that the community sector is properly funded in light of the Covid-19 emergency. An over-reliance on fundraising and inconsistent government funding, results in poorly resourced services which cannot properly plan or develop. Holly explains: […]

Jennifer Whitmore, Social Democrat spokesperson for biodiversity, and Holly Cairns TD, spokesperson for Agriculture, have called on Coillte to extend nationwide their recreational and biodiversity initiative for Dublin. Coillte have announced that nine Dublin forests will transition away from commercial activities of felling and replanting cycles towards a model of planting native broad-leaf varieties. The […]

Speaking on Wednesday in the Dáil, Cork South West TD, Holly Cairns, raised the issue of a proposed retail outlet centre in east Cork which the Office of the Planning Regulator has made a recommendation against. The ‘Kildare Village’ type centre requires a variation to the County Development Plan to go ahead- a move supported […]