Women at the Helm: Leader of the Social Democrats, Holly Cairns
Ireland ranks 104th globally in terms of female parliamentary representation, but this year a record number of 248 women are in the running for a seat in the Dáil — that’s an increase of 53% on 2020. As we inch closer to the polls, we’re meeting the women at the helm of various political parties, starting with Leader of the Social Democrats, Holly Cairns.
Spokesperson for Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Rural Development; Social Justice; and Disability, Holly Cairns is the youngest party leader in the Dáil. Her journey into the realm of politics began back in 2018 when she first began campaigning to Repeal the Eighth Amendment. Just a year later Holly won a seat on Cork County Council by a single vote and in 2020, was elected as a TD. In the last Dáil, there were a total of 18 TDs in Cork — Holly Cairns was the only woman.
As the Leader of the Social Democrats and a TD for Cork South-West, Holly’s priorities include—but are not limited to—holding the government to account for locking an entire generation out of home ownership, fighting for fairer compensation for survivors of mother and baby homes, meaningful climate action, and a sustainable future for the farming sector.
Leading the SocDems campaign from West Cork while heavily pregnant, we hear from Holly on her intentions ahead of the election, why representation matters, and how she advocates for women through her work…
The most effective way to change hearts and minds about political issues is to have open and honest conversations about issues you’re passionate about.
What was it that inspired you to pursue a career in politics?
I never thought that I would join a political party, let alone lead one! In hindsight, there were a lot of factors which led me to politics, particularly my experiences of growing up on a small dairy farm, being forced to emigrate after the crash and working in disability services abroad.
When I returned home and became active in the Repeal referendum campaign, I was frustrated that my values and the values of my community just weren’t being represented by local politicians. This led me to establishing a local branch of the Social Democrats, being elected as a Councillor, becoming a TD and ultimately the Party Leader — all in a five year period.
I took these steps for the same reasons I started out in politics, because I wanted the best possible platform to campaign for the issues and values which are most important to my community.
Why is it so important that we remain politically engaged?
If you’re wondering this, I know how you feel. This is exactly how I felt before I decided to get involved in politics. What’s the point in being engaged when nothing seems to change?
My opinion changed the night I knocked on my very first door during the Repeal referendum, full of nerves. A woman in her 70s answered and during the conversation, she moved from an “I don’t know enough about this so I’m not going to vote” to a very firm “yes”. And I moved from feeling apprehensive to feeling motivated. Because I learned first-hand how the most effective way to change hearts and minds about political issues is to have open and honest conversations about issues you’re passionate about. With friends, family or even total strangers on your doorstep!
Can you tell us the focus of your policies and intentions ahead of the election, particularly the policies that relate to women?
Our focus is tackling the crises we are facing in housing, health, disability services and childcare because these issues fall disproportionately on women. Unaffordable childcare and a shortage of paid leave is forcing mothers to leave employment. We would introduce an affordable public model of childcare and 12 months of paid leave for parents.
The lifting of the eviction ban has resulted in one parent families (the vast majority of which are women) making up 75% of those entering homelessness. We would introduce a no fault eviction ban and build 75,000 affordable homes to rent or buy.
A lack of adequate disability and health supports mean that responsibility falls on the family carer, who is most often a woman. We would deliver on the promise of universal healthcare, quality disability services and a right to home care. We also want to reform our abortion services and increase funding for measures to combat and prevent domestic, sexual and gender based violence.
There were six times as many TDs named Michael than there were women elected in Cork. We absolutely need more mná in politics!
Facing into the election, do you believe that a gender bias continues to exist in Irish politics?
It is undeniable that the amount of women in politics is incredibly low. Ireland is ranked 104th globally for female representation in parliament. There were 18 TDs in Cork in the last Dáil, and I was the only woman. There were six times as many TDs named Michael than there were women elected in Cork. We absolutely need more mná in politics!
Is there a ‘boys club’ element at play with the Dáil?
The gender ratio in the Dáil answers that question I think! Ultimately politics, like much of society, was designed by men for men. While change is slowly being introduced, it is very much an old system which was set up for men who left all responsibilities of the family and children to their wives at home.
It’s really only very recently that basic accommodation was made for women, such as having maternity leave. And by recently, I mean this month.
Tell us why representation matters.
I believe a more equal parliament leads to a more equal society. Because when voices are not at the decision making tables, it is easy for their needs to slip down the priority list. One of the most glaring examples of the lack of thought for women’s issues was during the pandemic, when bars were reopening but restrictions on maternity hospitals remained in place. We see this attitude replicated in disability.
Ireland has the resources and the capability to have high quality disability services and supports, but we lack the political drive to make it a priority. That is why we’re committing to having a Senior Minister for Disability in any future Government, so that the voices of disabled people are always centered.
How do you advocate for women through your work?
Every day in my office I am contacted by women in my community and across the country who are experiencing great difficulties. Women who are facing homelessness, who are struggling to get their child a school place, who are experiencing domestic violence. I do everything possible to assist them and to raise their struggles directly with the Taoiseach at leaders’ questions. I work alongside survivors of Mother and Baby Institutions to campaign for justice.
I have also been consistently raising the fact that Ireland’s so-called ‘zero tolerance’ approach to domestic, sexual and gender based violence is a myth. Our refuge services are underfunded, our justice system is fatally flawed and survivors are being failed. I am absolutely determined to make Ireland a safer and more equal place for women.
With our vote we choose who runs this country. We choose the direction of this country. And we can choose to take a different approach.
There is a great deal of media scrutiny associated with your line of work. How has that experience been, and how do you deal with online abuse?
It’s definitely a part of the job but can be incredibly jarring, especially at the beginning. Social media is an excellent platform to really connect with people, but it’s a balancing act. I’m typically a very open person and I’ve had to become much more conscious of what I choose to make public about my personal life. The abuse on platforms like X is awful, especially since Elon Musk took over. I tend to avoid it as much as possible and to try and remember that the loudest voices online are not reflective of the real world.
Tell us about your work/life balance — is it difficult to keep your home and family life separate from your political work?
I live one of the furthest distances from the Dáil of any TD, with about a five hour commute. This is incredibly hard to juggle during the Dáil term especially, but I am absolutely committed to this work. It has been an absolute privilege to represent my community in the Dáil and I will continue to give this role everything I have.
What are some of the key lessons you have learned over your years as a politician?
One thing that has really struck me since I was elected as a TD is the power of an organised lobby group. Groups—many of which with very real concerns—lobby politicians and drive their message in the media on a weekly basis. They can change political debate and achieve real action.
But there are so many groups in society that just don’t have the money, time or energy to spare to become professional lobbyists. Disabled people, carers, lone parents, people facing homelessness. Those most in need in our society need politicians who are absolutely committed to advocating for them, even when it’s not on the front page of the papers.
What is one thing voters should be aware of when they head to the polling stations?
I’d hope every voter is aware of the power of their vote on election day. When I ran for the council in 2019, I lost by a single vote. After I called a recount, I won by a single vote. Your vote can make a difference. With our vote we choose who runs this country. We choose the direction of this country. And we can choose to take a different approach.
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