Holly Cairns, a new entrant, has become the second most popular party leader in the Dáil

Cork's only woman TD on her political career so far and the future for the Social Democrats under her leadership

Ms Cairns will take her first Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil today, hours after she is confirmed as leader of the party

Holly Cairns

The Cork South-West TD is an able Dáil performer — and her ability to appeal to potential new supporters makes her appointment as party leader a no-brainer, writes Paul Hosford

If the local — and subsequent — general elections don't go their way, the conversation of joining forces will begin

Cork South-West TD and Wicklow TD both said they are both considering whether to put their names forward for the party's leadership, but Gary Gannon has ruled himself out

Many are in uproar as thousands of acres of rural Ireland are expected to be sold to a British investment fund as part of an afforestation deal with Coillte

Cork South-West TD said the man repeatedly messaged her before turning up on her doorstep 

Transport, Health, and Foreign Affairs have been late publishing reports in the first year it became mandatory, while Housing has yet to publish

Owen Hanley, a Galway City councillor, announced his resignation following recent allegations made about him online.

Elisa O’Donovan says as 'one of few' speaking out on racism, transphobia, and homophobia, she is a target for extremists

Micheál Martin told the Dáil that he would be engaging with members of the Oireachtas and other parties on how best to address the latest revelations.

Tanáiste Leo Varadkar also said “it’s okay to be dodgy if you're on the left"

The rise of a far-right party in Sweden has been linked to the narrow 'opinion corridor' deemed acceptable in that democracy

Separately, co-leader Catherine Murphy has left open the door to doing a deal to go into power with Sinn Féin after the next election

Paxlovid can be taken within five days of a Covid-19 infection to stop the illness from progressing. Trials found it cut hospitalisations and deaths by 88%.

With the latest poll putting the party on 0% support, the question is whether it is merely a snapshot in time or a worrying sign

The Social Democrat Party is holding its first in-person conference since 2019 in Dublin's Gresham Hotel this weekend

Inflation and housing issues are expected to dominate the party's conference this weekend

People offering sex for rent arrangements are “creeps who exploit their position of power over people with less power or no power who need a roof over their heads”.

Even as the Ban on Sex for Rent Bill moves through the Oireachtas, ads continue to offer a home for sex — some of them targeting people fleeing Ukraine

Social Democrat co-leader Roisin Shortall said: "What matters is the absolute lack of sensitivity and understanding being shown to cancer patients."

Social Democrats are calling on the Government to tackle the cost of cancer care

The email told journalist Katie Hannon her show was being recorded and listened to by a group of 'close to 200 men'

At present, leave for six months has to be approved by a resolution of the local council and results in the person being deemed to have resigned from the council

It comes after reports that Nama had left 26 apartments in Finglas idle for a decade

Opposition calls for independent enquiry into allegations aired in RTÉ radio documentary, 'Women of Honour'

Dublin Bay South by-election has been billed as a race between Labour and Fine Gael, something Social Democrats candidate Sarah Durcan rejects.

As we publish the latest information on 'spads' and their salaries, TDs call for a more transparent hiring process, and ask for clarity on what qualifies them to hold senior jobs paid for by the State

The government is now facing potential shortfalls in vaccination doses and legal questions surrounding the mandatory quarantining system

Dáil debate In advance of International Women's Day hears women are more likely to have lost jobs or had working hours reduced as a result of Covid-19

Social Democrats housing spokesperson Cian O'Callaghan said the plan will drive prices up and not deliver the type or numbers of housing needed.

One TD claims the findings of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission were either "not presented clearly or manipulated to serve a particular agenda."

Party wants to give survivors more time to ask questions about their testimonies before Commission of Investigation is due to be wound up in five days' time

The Data Protection Commission has already been in contact with the Commission, which is due to close at the end of this month

"The vaccine is not the panacea we all thought it would be, it simply is not going to be,' says labour leader Alan Kelly

Social Democrats to bring forward a Bill to extend the term of the commission, which is due to dissolve on February 28

Solidarity-PBP says it is time for a zero-Covid strategy, while Labour wants to implement a suppression model

Hiqa needs to be given more powers over nursing homes 'immediately' – Social Democrats

Their call comes as some 2000 students received their Leaving Cert results today.

The Cork South West Social Democrats TD on the personal toll of being a TD, the absence of women at the top table, Twitter abuse and the break-up of her relationship with Fianna Fáil TD Christopher O’Sullivan

The Dáil will break on Thursday and return on Wednesday, January 13.

Ireland's quarantine policy has been described 'the worst of all worlds', because it does not distinguish between safe and dangerous countries in relation to Covid-19.