Social Democrats
@SocDems
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Following
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Statuses
26,342
Welcome to the Social Democrats - a new force for change in Irish Society. Our Values: Equality. Democracy. Sustainability. Progress #SocDems
Ireland
Joined March 2015
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Huge turnout in Dublin and Cork today to send a clear message -
Ireland stands with Palestinians 🇵🇸
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3K
In her first Leaders' Questions as Leader of the
@SocDems
,
@HollyCairnsTD
asks,
"How much longer must we wait for your Government's plan to work?"
Fine Gael first declared they would address the housing crisis in 2014.
9 years later it's an unprecedented housing disaster.
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3K
Will Fine Gael actually deliver on Sláintecare and affordable homes? We asked an average voter and they answered unequivocally:
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When a Government TD attempts to misrepresent the reality of the Mother & Baby homes redress scheme. 🤦♀️
@HollyCairnsTD
does not have a good poker face 👇🙄
#StateOfShame
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2K
🚨 NEW LEADER ALERT 🚨
@HollyCairnsTD
is officially the Leader of the Social Democrats as nominations come to a close
Huge congratulations to Holly who will set out her vision for the Party in her first speech as Leader at 3pm
You can watch it LIVE over on our Instagram 📺
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After a horrific Russian attack on a train station in Ukraine, the Tánaiste tweeted "This is genocide"
But he's not once described the slaughter in Gaza in the same way
This is blatant double standards
The Govt must listen to the Irish people & support South Africa in the ICJ
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1K
"When did EU leaders lose their humanity?" asks
@HollyCairnsTD
"The EU position now is that we want a pause in the bombing for a few hours – and then the ethnic cleansing can continue."
"I reject this statement - those who wrote it are cowards & their position is indefensible."
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1K
Next week the
@SocDems
will bring a motion to the Dáil to:
• Suspend EU-Israel trade deal & access to research funds
• Expel the Israeli Ambassador
• Refer Israel to the International Criminal Court
We need more than words
We need action
Ask your TDs to support our motion
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Statement by
@HollyCairnsTD
on accusations made by the Israeli Ambassador against the Social Democrats
“It is outrageous that the Israeli ambassador remains a diplomat in this country, continuing to act as an apologist for war crimes in Gaza.”
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1K
It is “unbelievable” we are having a debate about ownership of the new national maternity hospital in 2021, says
@HollyCairnsTD
‘Maternal healthcare needs to be free of religious control. It is intolerable a particular ethos would determine healthcare rather than medical need’
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1K
More than 600,000 people in this country live in poverty.
It is "ludicrous" and "pathetic" that TDs would be offered free antigen tests - while the Health Minister has refused to offer free tests to those who can least afford it, says
@GaryGannonTD
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983
The situation is so farcical that from Oct 22, you will be able to attend a nightclub, but partners will still be told to wait in the car park when they arrive at maternity hospitals for the birth of their own child.
“Who is in charge?” asks
@HollyCairnsTD
#BetterMaternityCare
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984
The 'Foetal Pain Relief' Bill is an attempt to drag us backwards.
The women of Ireland who have had to endure patriarchal control for generations, will not put up with it.
"The days of middle-aged men trying to control the bodies of young women are over."
says
@HollyCairnsTD
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978
“The days of middle-aged men trying to control the bodies of young women are over.
“We have won our bodily autonomy, we are not giving it up.
“I trust women. I trust families. I trust doctors and nurses,” says
@HollyCairnsTD
.
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Israel is bound by commitments it signed up to in its trade agreement with EU.
Those commitments, in relation to human rights, are clear and unambiguous.
Trade deal should be suspended until Israel complies with international law, says
@HollyCairnsTD
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#SocDems
@HollyCairnsTD
was named political newcomer of the year on RTÉ Radio 1's
@LatedebateRTE
(listen from 41.15).
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And that’s it all official! Our 6 TDs have signed the register and are officially TDs of the 33rd Dáil
#GE2020
#VotedForBetter
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Leo Varadkar says his Govt ‘weighed up the pros and cons’ when they decided to end the eviction ban.
It seems as though the profits of landlords trump the future of families facing homelessness.
“It will cause huge damage, and that damage is avoidable,” says
@HollyCairnsTD
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Next week the
@socdems
bring a motion to the Dáil calling on the Irish Government to support South Africa’s case against Israel in the ICJ.
We cannot stand idly by while the daily slaughter of innocent civilians in Gaza continues.
#ThisIsGenocide
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796
"Politics in Ireland is on the cusp of change. I can feel it. I think we all can."
@HollyCairnsTD
outlined her 'unashamedly ambitious' plans for the Social Democrats under her leadership.
"There's a lot of work to do... and I can't wait to get started." 💜
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When did the Taoiseach's housing strategy all go wrong?🤔
Was it in 2014 when FG first promised to tackle the housing crisis?
In 2018 when Leo Varadkar described the housing crisis as a “national emergency”.
Or was it in 2023 when homeless figures reached record highs?
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Leo Varadkar has now been in power for nearly 11 years.
“Responsibility for young people’s dwindling opportunities and lack of housing rests squarely on this government – and your previous two governments,” says
@HollyCairnsTD
.
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735
This is about public confidence in our political system, our planning system & our system of local Govt.
"Ministers being facilitated in delivering statements while the Opposition are in some way kind of muzzled does not scream accountability & transparency," says
@HollyCairnsTD
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With huge thanks to all those who voted for our new TDs and all our candidates, and all those who supported them...here's our team for this new
#Dail
#GE2020
#VotedForBetter
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The decision to lift the eviction ban is a clear wakeup call.
We know where this Govt’s priorities lie.
"The lobbying from landlords has clearly worked and I think that's plain to see," says
@HollyCairnsTD
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663
“People are not looking for hand outs they are looking for the right to own a home.
“You said hand outs - I think that’s very insulting,” says
@HollyCairnsTD
.
#homesnotinvestments
#TonightVMTV
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War crimes are not defined by the identity of the perpetrator - they are defined by the act.
The mass murder of Israeli civilians by Hamas fighters is a war crime.
The slaughter of Palestinians - and cutting off food, water & energy to 2 million people in Gaza - is a war crime.
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For more than a month we have watched the carnage in Gaza.
Enough. We need more than words. We need action.
Next wk, the Dáil will debate a
@SocDems
’ motion to:
• impose economic sanctions on Israel
• expel the ambassador
• refer Israel to the ICC
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Leo Varadkar says the Opposition needs to understand it takes time to build housing.
But we all understand that.
The question is how much time does he want? 🤔
Fine Gael has been in power for 12 years now and things have only gotten worse.
The clock is ticking Taoiseach. ⏰
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This is no country for young people.
The number of first time buyers aged 30 or under has collapsed - falling from 60% in 2004 to just 27% in 2020.
Generation Rent are actually Generation Spent – with a huge proportion now stuck living at home, says
@HollyCairnsTD
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The Healthcare system is a shambles.
Yet not one minister - from the FOUR in the Department - could be bothered to show up to the Dáil to debate healthcare legislation.
The lack of respect shown to our democratic process is a disgrace.
@RoisinShortall
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607
During the debate on amendments to the Mother and Baby Home legislation,
@HollyCairnsTD
asked the Minister if he would accept any of the amendments put forward by TDs that are based on input from survivors & human rights experts. He said “No”.
#Stand4Truth
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We must do whatever we can to stop the massacre in Palestine.
That means using all means at our disposal to exert what influence we can.
A human rights clause within the EU Israel trade deal has been clearly violated.
Ireland must demand its suspension.
@HollyCairnsTD
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The visit of President Trump does not represent the wishes of the many people in Ireland who strongly object to the regressive & damaging policies he pursues. Instead of red carpets, harps and dancing girls he must be met with strong voices of opposition to his policy platform.
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Leo Varadkar agrees with our President that 'housing is a disaster'
But he seems to have trouble figuring out who is responsible?
Allow us to join the dots
Fine Gael has been in power for 11 yrs. The housing crisis has gotten worse not better in that time
It's no coincidence
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We've seen what happened to housing when vulture funds flooded the market💰
Of course rural communities are outraged at the prospect of investment funds hoovering up large swathes of land
The Coillte deal is little more than a landgrab by an investment fund and mustn't go ahead
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Ireland is no country for young people, says
@HollyCairnsTD
Last year, 21,000 young people left for Australia
Many don't want to go, but cannot continue living in their childhood bedrooms
This govt hasn’t just destroyed dreams of homeownership
They destroyed people's hope
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The Dáil has an important role in ensuring there is accountability and transparency from Ministers.
For this to happen - there must be a question and answer session in the Dáil.
"Why would there be one rule for Niall Collins and one rule for everybody else?" asks
@HollyCairnsTD
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Ireland must take action against Israel's destruction of Gaza.
Last night's vote was disappointing, but the Govt can still choose to act.
We need to keep the pressure up and demand they do so.
Join us on Saturday at 1pm in Dublin for the national demonstration march for Gaza.
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Ireland will soon have among the highest paid health officials in Europe with Robert Watt on €292,000 and Paul Reid on €420,103.
In the UK, by contrast, the head of the NHS is paid £195,000 while their most senior civil servant is on a salary of £179k.
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Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Green Party, along with the Regional Group have voted to neuter the
#SocDems
#EndChildPoverty
motion - in doing so they are setting out to leave a large number of children in consistent poverty. This is not the Republic we want.
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534
In '84 Dunne Stores workers refused to stock their shelves with products from apartheid SA.
Never let it be said that a small country's actions can't have an impact.
It's time to recognise the State of Palestine & enact the Occupied Territories bill.
When will our Govt act?
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‘We reject any coalition that involves both FF & FG because to portray that as something resembling change is utterly ludicrous. We’re not interested in providing cover to 2 civil war parties’ -
@RoisinShortall
#saturdayRTE
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We have an obligation, under the Genocide Convention, to prevent genocide.
The Govt must take this responsibility seriously - and act accordingly.
It must signal its support for South Africa - and start the work, required to intervene in the ICJ case, now.
@HollyCairnsTD
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532
"It's now time for a renewed debate on State funding for greyhound racing," says
@HollyCairnsTD
"Govt needs to get real about spending taxpayers' money on propping up a sector that is in terminal decline and does not enjoy wider public support."
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Ireland should not be sitting idly by while we can take a stand on an issue of such grave importance.
@HollyCairnsTD
wrote to the Taoiseach yesterday and urged him to join South Africa in their case against Israel under the Genocide Convention.
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“Today’s landmark ruling by the ICJ is a clear win for South Africa and must be a turning point in the horrific conflict in Gaza.
“The Irish Govt must stop dithering and immediately signal its intention to support South Africa,” says
@HollyCairnsTD
.
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The Social Democrats in Government would mean taking the Housing Crisis seriously.
It means taking Sláintecare seriously.
And it means taking Climate Action seriously.
@HollyCairnsTD
made it crystal clear what the
@SocDems
red lines would be in Government.
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520
“Do we really want LGBT+ children in schools, who may be struggling with their sexual orientation, to be taught that their relationships are any less worthy, meaningful or loving than their heterosexual peers?" asks
@GaryGannonTD
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.
@HollyCairnsTD
listening to a Govt rep trying to explain how all of the hotel rooms for mandatory quarantine have been booked out - less than three weeks after the system was set up.
#TonightVMTV
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The Minister for Housing, Darragh O'Brien, has made it very clear - homelessness will increase following the lifting of the eviction ban.
Thousands will be made homeless in just three short weeks.
"They don't know where they're going to go. Neither do you," says
@HollyCairnsTD
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Simon Coveney says we can't judge the Govt's housing delivery on one year.
But nobody is judging them on one year.
"I'm judging you on 12 years in a Fine Gael Govt," says
@HollyCairnsTD
"I don't think there's anyone left in the country that has faith in your housing policy."
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Does Leo Varadkar not realise we have the highest housing costs across the EU?
To say 'the grass is always greener' is an insult to the thousands of people forced to emigrate for a better future.
"On every metric on housing, your Govt is failing miserably," says
@CathMurphyTD
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The EU leaders recently released a statement which could only call for a 'humanitarian pause' of slaughter in Gaza.
It contained no criticism of Israel for its savagery.
"I reject this statement," says
@HollyCairnsTD
"The EU leaders who wrote it are cowards.""
#SanctionsNow
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We are delighted to announce that
@colettebrowne
will be joining the
#SocDems
as our Communications Director
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469
"What's happening in Gaza is a land grab," says
@CathMurphyTD
"It is about wiping out the Palestinian people.
"It is a genocide.
"It is an ethnic cleansing.
"The people of Gaza feel the world has forgotten about them."
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469
How is the Minister not embarrassed to be handing over a €1bn asset to a private entity?
Why are we handing over full control of the new National Maternity Hospital to St Vincent's Holdings?
"Have you learned nothing from this country's recent history?" asks
@RoisinShortall
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1/2 In relation to online comments and behaviour of a former Party member, we regard these as utterly unacceptable and we strongly condemn them. The Party strongly condemns racism, intolerance and discrimination towards any member of society. The person in question is no longer..
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Co-Leaders Catherine Murphy and Róisín Shortall are stepping down as leaders of the Party.
"As the
@SocDems
continue to grow, we have decided that the time is right to hand over the leadership reins of the Party to the next generation of Social Democrats."
💜
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The OPW overpaid its landlord, a firm owned by Larry Goodman, €10 million.
"It's one thing for the OPW to regret the mistake, but what the public really want is for the OPW to recoup the money,"
@RoisinShortall
tells the Dáil.
It's been 3 yrs since the error came to light.
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“In Paris, they tripled property tax on vacant homes to 60pc to address the problem of properties being left empty.
“What does your government do? Shrug and continue feeding what little housing supply we have to the vultures,” says
@RoisinShortall
#homesnotinvestments
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When Ireland was in the grip of the third wave - and cases and deaths were surging - what was high on
@DonnellyStephen
's list of priorities?
The number of times his name appeared on the Dept of Health's twitter feed. He even commissioned an analysis.
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Migration has had a massively positive impact on Ireland.
Those who chant ‘Ireland is full’ blame migrants for the problems the country is experiencing.
What they don’t tell you is that 40% of our doctors are migrants.
Ireland isn’t full. It’s just not working properly.
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Last summer many dog tracks opened before some cancer services did so hope we get our priorities right this time. We need massive investment in public health for cancer screening and cancer services in general.
@HollyCairnsTD
#WorldCancerDay
#TonightVMTV
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429
Israel must be held accountable for latest killing of aid workers in Gaza, says
@HollyCairnsTD
“When will enough be enough?
"How many lines need to be crossed?
"What is it going to take for the international community to act against Israel?"
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Student nurses on mandatory placements are effectively working as staff for no pay. This simply is unacceptable. They are a vital cog in our healthcare system and we need to recognise that. Why won't Govt pay them?
@HollyCairnsTD
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Yesterday, Robert Watt treated the Finance Committee with utter disdain, says
@HollyCairnsTD
He went on a solo run and approved €20m of public money for a secondment - and has now publicly rejected the expert report that criticised that process.
Where is the accountability?
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FF and FG are trying to buy votes with the promise of small tax cuts.
But the Irish people are not falling for that.
They want a return on their taxes with quality public services - in housing, healthcare and education.
We need a new Govt with new priorities.
@HollyCairnsTD
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"The Taoiseach must demand that Ursula von der Leyen intervenes to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza," says
@HollyCairnsTD
"There is no way 1 million people can relocate in 24 hours - this demand is a death sentence."
Full statement here 👇
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"Houses can't be built overnight"
For 7+ yrs we've heard that same old excuse being used in the Dáil
Yet today we have;
Students sleeping cars🚗
Skyrocketing rents🚀
Developers 'having a laugh' at Irish housing policy💰
It's time for something different, It's time for change
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Leo Varadkar has been saying we’ve turned a corner on housing for years now.
But he’s just going around in circles. 🌀
“Taoiseach, your housing policy is a failure which is causing devastation and trauma all over the country,” says
@HollyCairnsTD
“When will you admit this?”
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I’m a farmer. But I’m also a scientist says
@HollyLeahCairns
in her first speech in
#Dail
I believe it’s time to change the way we talk about farming in Ireland. Instead of viewing farmers as the problem, we need to start realising that they are the solution.
#Sustainability
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Vulture funds are continuing to snap up almost entire housing estates - putting homes out of the reach of first time buyers.
The Govt claimed they would deal with this issue years ago.
Another broken promise.
We need change. Now.
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Arts Minister must join Irish artists’ boycott of SXSW festival sponsored by US military.
“It is deeply disturbing that an Irish Arts Minister would attend a festival sponsored by the US military in the midst of a genocide in Gaza,” says
@HollyCairnsTD
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49% of passengers arriving into Ireland did not provide an address - yet people are being fined for travelling beyond 5km. Contrast is not lost on public. What is Govt going to do about this non-compliance?
@CathMurphyTD
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For three months, Gaza has been subject to brutal attacks from Israel.
South Africa has now brought a case of genocidal intent against Israel in the International Court of Justice.
The Irish state must support South Africa - and do whatever it can to stop this massacre.
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Leo Varadkar thinks the Dáil vote on the eviction ban is meaningless.
But it is hugely important for the thousands of people who are about to be homeless.
“If a majority vote to extend the eviction ban, will you reverse your shameful decision to end it?" asks
@HollyCairnsTD
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The Israeli Govt are massacring, torturing and brutalising a captive civilian population in Gaza
This slaughter is happening in full view of the world
The Govt had an opportunity to take a stand - and support South Africa in its genocide case
Instead, it sat on the sidelines
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“We have been listening to this government, and previous governments, make assurances about housing for years.
“Time is running out. This generation deserves more than empty promises. We need action,” writes
@HollyCairnsTD
in
@Independent_ie
.
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When
@HollyCairnsTD
raised the issue of women enduring labour alone, back in April, Leo Varadkar said it was dangerous to allow unvaccinated people into hospitals.
But now, fully vaccinated partners are being denied access.
“The goalposts keep changing.”
When will this end?
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"Politics in Ireland is on the cusp of change - but to get the kind of change that we want, we have to vote for it.”
@HollyCairnsTD
left no crumbs in her first speech as Leader of the
@SocDems
Join Holly on this journey to build a better Ireland 🇮🇪👇🏼
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When
@IrishTimes
decide to omit that Holly is an elected official in her own right, preferring instead to simply describe her as a ‘girlfriend. Sigh. Holly is a formidable politician mounting an inspiring campaign in
#CorkSouthWest
@HollyLeahCairns
@women4election
@NWCI
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“When I suggested we divert the €19m given to the greyhound racing industry annually, I was strongly opposed by many TDs, especially Govt backbenchers.
“I hope they bring that same passion to the defence of post offices to ensure €17m is provided,” says
@HollyCairnsTD
.
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'Advising' people to quarantine is just not good enough.
We need a science based approach - there's new variants all the time & some will be very difficult to manage.
We urgently need mandatory hotel-based quarantine for incoming travellers. Now
@HollyCairnsTD
#rtetwip
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The Rural Independents’ Dáil motion on immigration is nothing more than a series of dog whistles.
They are pandering to the far-right, stoking up divisions and spreading fear and misinformation.
They should be ashamed of themselves.
@HollyCairnsTD
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“Rents in Ireland increased by 61.8%, between 2010 and 2020, while the average rental increase across the EU, during the same period, was just 14.9%.
“That happened on the watch of this Govt and previous FG-led governments,” says
@OCallaghanCian
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344
The
@SocDems
are tabling a Bill in the Dail this week to help address this issue.
If you want to do something useful, you could tell your colleagues in
@fiannafailparty
to support it - and stop housing provision becoming an investment opportunity for funds.
#homesnotinvestments
If something isn’t done to tip the balance in favour of home ownership,and disadvantage Investment Funds, we will be tenants again , like we were a hundred yrs ago. The only difference is our landlords will be investment funds based in London or New York.
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This controversial, loss-making, industry is funded with public money. Greyhound racing is set to commence ahead of vital services like breast and cervical cancer screening. Why is this deeply problematical industry held in such high esteem by the government?
@HollyCairnsTD
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91
343
The ESB has overcharged domestic customers by over €100 million.
An ESB error also resulted in one of the largest data centres in the country not being charged for tens of millions of electricity usage.
Ordinary workers are being screwed - while companies clean up.
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In the Dáil, Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien says “people earning a decent wage should be able to buy their own home”.
What is his definition of decent? Is it €130,000? That’s what your income needs to be to buy one of his “affordable” homes in Dublin.
#homesnotinvestments
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Great news -
@DubCityCouncil
councillors voted overwhelmingly tonight in support of a motion by
@1GaryGannon
to block the sale of the last
#Magdalene
Laundry in state hands to a hotel chain
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It is a “disgrace” that there isn’t a single government minister in the Dáil chamber to listen to the Oppostion’s reaction to
#Budget22
, says
@RoisinShortall
.
Not a single one.
The arrogance is startling.
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It's not a 'fairytale' to want to be able to own your own home.
It's not a 'fairytale' to have access to disability services.
A leadership change in Fine Gael isn't going to solve Ireland's problems.
It's time for change.
It's time to call a general election.
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