News

– 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 […]

– Government needs to address impacts of ‘draconian, callous’ system Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns says that families living in direct provision will be left in limbo for years before the system is abolished. Speaking in the Dáil today, Holly said: “Over the past 20 years, 60,000 people have spent time in direct provision. Over […]

– Only three dedicated HSE hospital beds for people with eating disorders – Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns has called for dedicated eating disorder teams to be deployed to every Community Healthcare Organisation area in the country. Speaking in the Dáil today, she also called for ringfenced annual funding to be allocated to provide adequate […]

Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns has called for the immediate rollout of a nationwide plan that would allow accompanying partners to attend maternity hospitals at all stages of pregnancy and labour. She made her comments following the launch of a new visitor scheduling app at Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH), which has allowed for an […]

The very least we owe these children, and their families, is to investigate how they died. Holly Cairns TD is calling on the Minister for Justice to ensure that inquests are held into all deaths that occurred in mother and baby homes and similar institutional settings. During a debate on the Institutional Burial Bill, at […]

Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns has strongly criticised the Government for failing to provide an update this week on ongoing Covid-19 restrictions in maternity hospitals. After raising the issue in the Dáil today, Holly said: “It is baffling that the Taoiseach made no reference to the ongoing restrictions in maternity hospitals when announcing the phased […]

The Rural Future plan announced today must be followed up with immediate Government action to help stem the further decline of communities throughout Ireland, according to Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns. Holly, who represents Cork South-West, said: “The plan announced today, while ambitious in terms of scale, will ultimately be judged on how quickly it […]

People who were illegally adopted in Ireland should not need legislation to allow them full access to their birth records and information, according to Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns. Speaking in the Dáil today in support of the Civil Registration (Right of Adoptees to Information) (Amendment) Bill 2021, Deputy Cairns said: “As we saw in […]

Speaking today at the Social Democrats’ online National Conference, Holly Cairns TD slammed the Government for its shameful treatment of survivors of Mother and Baby Homes. Following a conversation with guest speaker Dr Maeve O’Rourke, lecturer in Human Rights at the Irish Centre for Human Rights at NUI Galway, Holly said: “Maeve has done such […]

Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns says that the absence of updated guidance in the Government’s new Living with Covid plan on restrictions in maternity hospitals is causing ongoing distress to expectant parents. Holly said: “While it is welcome that some health services are to resume in March, including BreastCheck screening, it is very disappointing that the Government’s […]

Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns has accused the Government of speaking out of both sides of its mouth on the issue of extending the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes. Holly said: “Earlier today, the Government committed to not blocking the Social Democrats’ motion to extend the Commission of Investigation. However, when challenged […]

Social Democrats TDs Jennifer Whitmore and Holly Cairns have called for clarity on a recent advertisement by Coillte looking to buy bare land and land with immature forestry. The advert, which has been circulating on social media platforms, also says the semi-state company’s position is to sell land that is no longer suitable for its […]

Covid-19 continues to expose glaring gaps in the provision of mental health services, according to Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns. Speaking in the Dáil today, Holly said: “The pandemic is taking its toll on everyone’s mental health. This is especially felt by people living alone; young people who are denied their usual social outlets; and […]

Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns believes that Irish citizens would overwhelmingly support a referendum to enshrine economic, social and cultural rights in the Constitution. Speaking in the Dáil today in support of the 37th Amendment of the Constitution (Economic, Social and Cultural Rights) Bill 2018, Holly said: “Economic, social and cultural rights help ensure a better […]