RTÉ CONTACTED THE Social Democrats over the inclusion of a clip of journalist David McCullagh in a campaign video the political party posted for International Women’s Day.

The Social Democrats’ video, which is just shy of two minutes, included footage of media commentary on leader Holly Cairns’s pregnancy and maternity leave during the 2024 general election, as well as Cairns’s involvement in the campaign while pregnant.

She gave birth to her daughter on polling day.

One of the clips showed McCullagh asking Cairns about the timing of the election and her pregnancy, where he said she was being interviewed earlier than other leaders as the timing for her personally was “not ideal”.

In a brief statement this evening, RTÉ said: “RTÉ does not permit political parties using RTÉ personnel in party promotional videos, due to our legal obligations regarding objectivity and impartiality. This has been communicated to political parties.”

The Social Democrats confirmed it was communicating with RTÉ on the matter.

A spokesperson for the party said: “The video is about the fact that Holly Cairns was the first party leader to be pregnant, and give birth, during a general election – as well as the first leader to take maternity leave.

“It was created for, and posted on, International Women’s Day. The only campaign or promotion the video relates to is seeking to encourage more women to enter politics.

“A very brief clip of David McCullagh, posing a question to Deputy Cairns in an interview during the election, is used to contextualise her response. In no way could anyone watch the video and view it as either Mr McCullagh or RTÉ endorsing or supporting the party.

“RTÉ has been in touch with us and we are communicating with them.”

We are serious about creating an Ireland where everyone can thrive – that includes mothers. We need more women in politics to show the naysayers that being a mother and being a politician aren't mutually exclusive. The SocDems are proud to stand up for women today, and all year round. #MoreMná

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— Social Democrats (@social-democrats.bsky.social) 8 March 2026 at 10:01

The campaign video also featured footage of broadcaster and political pundit Ivan Yates criticising leader Holly Cairns for the length of her maternity leave.

“Holly Cairns has taken maternity leave of a year,” Yates said in the clip, which was taken from an episode of his podcast Path to Power with Matt Cooper – which Yates has since memorably exited - that aired in 2024.

“As a political party leader, I actually think it’s a lack of seriousness by the SocDems by the length of her maternity leave,” Yates continued.

Captions added by the Social Democrats in the campaign video clarified Cairns’s maternity leave was actually nine months long.

Alongside the video, which has been published on the party’s social media platforms, text reads: “We need more women in politics to show the naysayers that being a mother and being a politician aren’t mutually exclusive.”