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SOCIAL DEMOCRATS PARTY leader Holly Cairns has announced that she is expecting her second child.
In a statement, Cairns said:
“I am so happy to announce that we are expecting our second child. Barry and I are so excited and feel extremely lucky to be able to raise our family in West Cork.
“I have always said that having a family should not be disqualifying for a political party leader and I am very grateful to have the support of our parliamentary party and my constituents in Cork South-West.”
Cairns said the party’s deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan will step into the role of acting leader in October for the duration of her maternity leave.
Sharing the news on Instagram, Cairns posted a photo, stating: “Some news: A little brother or sister on the way.”
Cork South-West TD had her first baby on the day of the 2024 general election.
Unlike other workers, at the time, there was no mechanism for female TDs to take maternity leave, officially.
Instead, she had to resort to getting a sick note to take time off. (New laws have since been passed, but it only covers senators and TDs, not ministers who wish to take maternity leave).
The Social Democrats’ leader told The Journal in February that she does not feel the Dáil supports mothers and has called for a number of changes to make it more family-friendly.
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