Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns on her labours, on and off the political pitch
In an unprecedented situation in Irish politics, the party leader is due to give birth just days before the general election
Holly Cairns
Cork South-West constituency profile: Holly Cairns faces scrap for her seat
Election 2024: Sinn Féin cannot be ruled out in this sprawling rural constituency
Election 2024: Fine Gael manifesto promises €1,000 savings grant to every newborn and break-up of OPW
Labour sets out six ‘key missions’ party will have if part of next government, relating to issues including housing, climate and health
What’s the point of an election if it inevitably means the same parties get back in?
The shameful and eternal truth about the Irish left is that as long as it stands apart, it falls apart
Holly Cairns will lead SocDems campaign from west Cork as her baby’s due date precedes the election
The Social Democrats leader says a Minister for Disability is the party’s first red line in any government negotiations
General election posters for Cork candidates vandalised by having faces cut out
Incident took place overnight, spanning some 25km across Cork South-West constituency from Innishannon to Clonakilty
RIP FF-FG-Green Coalition, 2020-2024 - Miriam Lord’s look back at the Government
Three taoisigh, five budgets and a global pandemic: in unprecedented times it was a government like no other
A race for the magic number across 43 constituencies to rule the largest Dáil in history
The number of seats has risen from 160 to 174, and the only certainty is that there will be plenty of skirmishes and subplots in the electoral battle
Ireland will intervene in Gaza genocide case before end of year
Tánaiste says it is ‘reprehensible’ for Social Democrats to accuse Government of being ‘complicit in genocide’
Phone pouch scheme will cost €2m every year as well as €9m outlay, McDonald says
Sinn Féin operating similar schools initiative in Northern Ireland but Taoiseach Simon Harris claims it costs ‘a hell of a lot more’
Sinn Féin clashes with Tánaiste over Occupied Territories Bill
Opposition raise claims Government warned by US ambassador of ‘consequences’ if legislation is passed
General election: Stallholders and shoppers in Bantry consider their options
From public transport and homelessness to flooding and small businesses, there’s a long list of concerns in west Cork
Government shouldn’t be so quick to yell Gotcha! at Sinn Féin. Its record on children is shameful
When election candidates coming knocking at your door, will you speak for the children so badly let down by the State?
Social Democrats promise to spend €250m on early years education and cap fees at €250 a month
‘Twin-track’ system would use budget surpluses to buy existing childcare businesses and build new facilities
There’s never been a better moment for a new left alliance to emerge
In recent polls, a coalition of left parties has 28 per cent of the vote in the capital compared with 13 per cent for Sinn Féin
Minister for disability role ‘essential element’ in talks for any potential post-election cabinet, says Cairns
Social Democrats leader says creation of post ‘very clear deal breaker’ in any future programme for government
‘I refuse to accept the horror that has become the status quo’: what did politicians say when students wrote to them about their lives?
Simon Harris, Micheál Martin, Holly Cairns and others reply to letters from students and recent graduates on the key issues they face today
Thousands of Ukrainians affected if accommodation scheme ended - Minister
Labour leader says Sinn Féin’s call for restrictions on housing scheme amount to ‘new low in political vernacular’
Social Democrats will not go into government ‘to make up numbers’, says Holly Cairns
Party will run as many candidates as possible in the coming general election with names selected for about half of constituencies
‘We just have to be ready’: Opposition TDs take to the streets ahead of as-yet unfixed general election
Housing, health and that controversial €336,000 Leinster House bike shelter are among hot-button issues being raised on doorsteps by constituents
Simon Harris tops TV ratings for political speeches with 208,000 watching first ardfheis as Fine Gael leader
Football match on another channel boots Social Democrats down to just 9,000 viewers in 2022
Plan to house asylum seekers at Coolock site will go ahead, says O’Gorman
Social Democrats leader says: ‘Coarsening debate around immigration is leading to increased attacks on migrant communities’
Government’s zero-tolerance approach to gender violence more like ‘zero effort’, says Holly Cairns
Social Democrats leader introduces Dáil motion on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and calls for regulation of ‘wild west’ counselling sector
Girl power in the Dáil as ‘two very formidable politicians’ take centre stage
Catherine Murphy and Róisín Shortall, two of the founders of the Social Democrats, take a bow as the third founder hides in plain sight
Former Social Democrats co-leaders Catherine Murphy and Róisín Shortall will not contest general election
TDs announce they will not stand for re-election, saying it is ‘time for a new generation to take over’
More than 100 children waiting over four years for psychology services in Cork, figures show
Social Democrats leader tells Dáil total number of children and teenagers on list for Cork and Kerry now tops 5,000
We say never again. We voice outrage. We listen to the promises. Until the next time
Simon Harris made no secret of his anger at the way Natasha O’Brien had been treated. Might he really do something? He certainly talks the talk
Migration pact a ‘united effort of Europe’ and ‘essential’ for Ireland, says Taoiseach
Tánaiste hits out at ‘little Englander’ mentality of those aspiring to ‘some mythical purity’ in Ireland
Nine counties have no refuge for women, children suffering domestic violence - SF leader
Taoiseach says domestic abuse has become ‘absolute priority’ since Minister for Justice Helen McEntee addressed issue
If Sinn Féin wants to embody ‘change’, it should present a left-wing coalition to the electorate
Sinn Féin must present voters with a left-wing coalition option to stay true to its message of ‘change’
Holly Cairns could ‘potentially’ pause maternity leave during general election
Social Democrats leader announces pregnancy after suffering miscarriages, as plans made for Cian O'Callaghan to step in during leave period
Labour and the Social Democrats: is it time for a conscious coupling?
Fergus Finlay, an adviser to former Labour leader Dick Spring, said he was surprised at the ‘animosity’ to the idea of merging from the Social Democrats
The psychology of election posters: to smile, frown or go full Mick Wallace?
Experts in behavioral psychology examine a selection of posters from the campaign trail to reveal hidden meanings
Psychological services for young people need urgent reform, says Cairns
Numbers waiting for primary care psychology services in Cork are ‘staggering’, says Social Democrats leader
‘Blatantly unfair’ that Social Democrat candidates are excluded from RTÉ election debates, says Cairns
Holly Cairns to complain to State broadcaster over omission of Rory Hearne and Susan Doyle from televised European vote debates
Stephen Donnelly’s nicotine buzz is wrecked by news of pouches
Social Democrats TD enlightens Minister for Health about nicotine pouches as Holly Cairns echoes Sinn Féin leader’s disgruntlement on housing
Social housing lease deals making ‘bumper profits for property funds’, Dáil told
Taoiseach rejects Sinn Féin’s claim of ‘expensive U-turn’ on phasing out of long-term leases
Abortion reform unlikely before next general election
Opposition accuses Government of delaying on proposals, but Ministers reluctant to bring in legislative change before next election
Harris rejects claims he is sitting on his hands in relation to abortion services reform
People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith says women still being treated as criminals for accessing reproductive healthcare
‘Simon Harris has to make changes’: As Leo Varadkar bows out, what is next for Fine Gael?
FG needs to connect more tightly with its natural voting contingency, sharpen its messaging and get back to its identity basics of law and order, the economy and enterprise
Martin and Ryan to insist Varadkar’s successor commits to Coalition going full term as Opposition seeks election
Opposition parties demand early general election as Taoiseach shocks country by announcing he would resign as Fine Gael leader immediately and step down as the head of Government in early April
Mother and baby home redress: Taoiseach defends compensation scheme against sharp criticism
Independent TD Catherine Connolly says compensation based on business and cost and ‘absolutely nothing to do with justice or what is right’
Catherine Martin to attend SXSW events as Irish artists withdraw in solidarity with Gaza
A dozen Irish acts, including Kneecap, Soda Blonde and NewDad, will not perform due to festival’s links with US military
Fact-checking housing promises: can the State deliver 50,000 new homes a year - and if so, how?
Opposition parties are promising rapid progress, but the housing market is a long game
Holly Cairns says Social Democrats in power would deliver 50,000 homes a year
Party leader says she will ‘talk to every party’ about a potential coalition after the next election but preferably, she says, without Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil
After the Holly Cairns bounce, the Social Democrats must face up to three key questions
Recent polls are promising but the party has big decisions to make on three key questions
Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns calls for details of all exit packages for RTÉ executives
National conference will hear from the Palestinian ambassador, but Israeli ambassador has not been invited
The Irish Times view on the Social Democrats and Labour: time is right to unite centre-left
Are social democratic values best served by two competing parties whose policies are virtually identical?
An end to ‘tried-tested-failed’ politics? Holly Cairns pitches for change
Social Democrats leader wants to be part of the next government. First, her party must capitalise on its momentum
Varadkar expresses ‘concern’ that SF could decide RTÉ's funding as leader sues broadcaster
Taoiseach referred to Mary Lou McDonald’s High Court proceedings for alleged defamation
Withholding information on arson attacks makes people ‘as guilty as the person who lights match’, says McEntee
Justice Minister’s remarks come after spate of attacks on buildings earmarked for asylum seeker accommodation and some wrongly rumoured to be destined for use as refugee housing.
Miriam Lord’s Week: Dobbo the Newsical may wait in wings as RTÉ readies for next PAC curtain call
Toy Show musical discord, Roy Orbison rings out in Brussels, quiz winner Ned O’Sullivan, Sinn Féin hypocrisy and Trolly Cairns
If Labour or Social Democrats – or both – have bad general election, merger speculation will intensify
Question arises as Labour leader Ivana Bacik says merger is ‘possible’
Labour-Social Democrats merger possible with ‘no ideological differences’ - Bacik
Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said Labour approach to government is not ‘compatible’ despite policy alignment
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