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HOLLY CAIRNS HAS said that she feels that the job of a politician is more conducive to “someone with a housewife” as an election looms and she expects her first child.
There’s been speculation that the election could be called for sometime in November of this year, though the Taoiseach has been adamant that the Government will complete its full four-year term.
Speaking on the likelihood of that election taking place, the Social Democrats leader said her party were prepared and ready to contest seats, but detailed a November polling date could also clash with the due date of her first-born daughter.
“There is quite a strange atmosphere up here in the Dáil,” Cairns said in a video posted to her Instagram. “Because everybody thinks the election is going to be in November. The Taoiseach keeps saying ‘It won’t be in November’ but nobody believes him.
“And then, I have another big event coming up in November, which is the birth of my child. So that feels like a lot to juggle.”
“I’ve always felt this job was designed for someone with a housewife but I have to say I’ve never felt it so acutely.”
She said her team at Leinster House and her party have been supportive of her and that the organisations candidates are ready to go. “We are ready for an election,” she said.
Cairns was speaking as her party today announced its plans for an alternative budget where it planned to introduce targeted taxes on the ‘super rich’.
Increased thresholds of taxes for those with more than €2 million worth of assets – excluding things such as the family home – were proposed at the party’s announcement today.
Her remarks also came as Minister for Equality Roderic O’Gorman is bringing forward legislation before Cabinet today that makes changes to the States’ maternity leave system.
Included in the new laws is a provision for female members of the Oireachtas to take maternity leave. It is unclear if the legislation will be approved by both houses by the time of an election and if it includes provisions for campaigning periods.
However, in an interview with The Journal in June, Cairns said that it is “truly incredible” that there was still no formal arrangement.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee and other female politicians previously have had to take sick leave so they can be paid for maternity leave. McEntee also had to step aside from her role as minister last year during that period.
Today’s legislation, which also allows for women who become ill during their maternity leave to defer the maternity leave allowances until they are recovered, has been completed over a long period of time.
Speaking in Dublin before the meeting this morning, O’Gorman said: “This is an updating of Irish law that I think we all recognize is long overdue.”
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I’m a heterosexual male, so i don’t watch Reality TV.
@David Field: not even the manly programmes, ice road truckers, forged in fire..etc.
@Clare Power: i used to watch Deadliest Catch years ago but tbh, these days, I hardly watch any TV. Chewing gum for the eyes Dougal.
@David Field: yeah I hear ya, feck all on..
@Clare Power: Some really good cookery programmes on.
@Clare Power: the ice never breaks in ice road truckers
@David Field: any sport is reality TV, Elton Field.
@David Field: ya unlike dowl internet tis GR8 doom scroll all day
Looks like good craic, but I can’t understand the crying. Always wanted to have a go at the Crystal Maze…
@honey badger: Paranoia, eh.That ceasefire isn’t worth the blood its been signed off with.
@Pól Pot: What’s the alternative?
@honey badger: There ain’t none. Israel will wipe them from the land incrementally.
@Pól Pot: They won’t, though. Ffs.
@honey badger: Foolish man.
Huge news with everything going on in the world right now…
@Ckeego: why not just move on to an article that interests you? It’s the same as you seeing a message on a notice board in a supermarket and calling the number to tell them you have no interest in what they are offering! Move on
Loved Anna’s outfits. So fun and colourful!
Omg!! Talking nineteen to the dozen on the uncloaked show! Had trouble keeping up with her!
Seems like a fairly lame show to me the one time I watched it
More claptrap!
19 comments. Amazing how many watch tv these days.
The Irish version will be rubbish. Like the Irish version of Strictly or Gogglebox the contestants will be dire and the programme an embarrassment.
No deal with the Islamists, end them all.
@Alex: It is their right not to change, the non Muslims must change or die and be tolerant of those who will not change. Would make a reality programme traitors and a fight to the death.
@Alex: There has to be a deal. For the sake of everyone involved. There is, however, no future involving lasting peace whilst the Islamists govern Gaza. I was very heartened to see so many young men in clean clothes, new uniforms, looking healthy, with fresh haircuts celebrating their victory and promising more October 7ths. Not the usual results you’d associate with a genocide. Odd that.
@honey badger: And still you support a far-right regime that is guilty of war crimes and the collective punishment of the Palestinian people (your backing of Ukraine looks increasingly odd and random given that you care nothing for human rights).
‘Palestinians in Gaza and elsewhere are naturally relieved that these merciless Israeli bombardments will soon stop. But celebrations are tempered by fears about the future, and by deep grief and anger over the still terrifying present and immediate past. According to Gaza health ministry figures, more than 46,000 people have died there since the 7 October 2023 Hamas terrorist attacks killed over 1,200 people. The true Palestinian death toll may be even higher.
‘Most of Gaza’s 2.1 million population is displaced. Most of their homes and neighbourhoods are in ruins. Most are short of food and water. Hunger, bordering on famine, is a daily menace. Hospitals and the healthcare system have been smashed. Tent cities have sprung up where real cities once stood. Gangs roam and steal. Children are perhaps the biggest victims. Those who survive are traumatised. The world’s abject failure to halt this slaughter of innocents will not be forgiven or forgotten.’
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/16/ceasefire-deal-gaza-netanyahu-trump-peace
@Brendan O’Brien: That’s why Hamas cannot be allowed to be the government of Gaza anymore. I’m sure you agree.
@Brendan O’Brien: Starting a war is unleashing hell.
@thomas molloy: Yes, but that does not imply carte blanche for one side to kill unlimited numbers of civilians. International law forbids that (as does moral law).
@honey badger: As I told you before, I would prefer not to see terrorist organisations such as the Netanyahu regime and Hamas anywhere near power.
@Brendan O’Brien: As I told you before, no October 7th, no horrific war. Hamas plan on repeating the pogrom too. Let’s hope they don’t.
@honey badger: Israel’s pogrom against Palestinians was exponentially larger and went on for 15 months rather than one day, but you gloss over that completely because of the ethnicities of the victims and perpetrators.
@Brendan O’Brien: Are we there already? You don’t like my opinion, so you hail mary something about ethnicities? Even by your standards, that is pathetic. Hamas can’t be allowed to remain in power. No October 7th pogrom. No horrific war.
@honey badger: It is obvious that ethnicity must be a factor, otherwise you could not pitch ~1500 civilian lives as being more valuable than tens of thousands. Ethnicity is the only difference.
I’ve explained to at you at length concepts such as personal responsibility for our actions. You can’t or won’t understand. A stone wall would have a more sensitive moral compass.
But I will continue to call out your shameful obfuscations as I see fit, because such things can’t be allowed to go unchallenged if the world is to have any kind of worthwhile future.
@Brendan O’Brien: It’s not obvious at all. I’ve never assigned more value to any life. This is you doing you. I’ve always simply stated Hamas started the war. Hamas could and should have surrendered many times and released the hostages. They chose not to. The onus is on Hamas as they launched the war. It’s that simple.
@honey badger: Of course it’s not that simple. As I point out above, the mere fact of who started a war does not imply carte blanche for one side to kill unlimited numbers of civilians. International law forbids that (as does moral law).
Sounds like being a sincere politician in Ireland being hunted as game by people after your job.
First world problems
@Oh Mammy: And in ‘the first world’ too! That must really surprise you. Are the LA fires a problem in and of ‘the first world’ also? Don’t tell me. You’d re-define ‘first world’ to suit your unsupported, illogical argument?
seeking attention woman that would show up soon in other shows until she get money and fame. Burk !
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