Party leader Holly Cairns stated that the Social Democrats are not intending to enter government merely to boost representation or for the sake of formality. At a preterm meeting, Ms Cairns communicated plans to run as many candidates as possible in the forthcoming general election, with approximately half of constituencies having candidates chosen.
“Being part of the opposition was not the reason I entered politics,” stated Ms Cairns. “The ultimate goal is to form a government. However, our aim is not to be part of a government just for the sake of it, or to simply add to the numbers. The objective is to secure a robust mandate for the Social Democrats in government, which is our current focus,” she stated, admitting that at this stage, it’s though hopeful.”
Responding to Tánaiste Micheál Martin’s claim that her party has advanced a narrative of state failure, Ms Cairns expressed surprise. “I was taken aback when I heard the Tánaiste’s comments on the radio,” she said.
She expressed frustration watching the government and previous administrations miss opportunities in the context of a thriving economy, record employment levels, and a substantial surplus. This, she said, was happening alongside an unprecedented homelessness crisis, struggling disability services and escalating child poverty.
The possibility of implementing policies and ideas that could make a real difference in communities feels attainable, according to Ms Cairns. She pledged honesty with voters, with no unrealistic promises, and a focus on priority policy areas.
Ms. Cairns countered, “We are not suggesting the state is failing – there is a government failure, though.” She asserted that Micheál Martin’s claims were a reflection of flawed governance rather than a failing state. According to Cairns, the Social Democrats, a centre-left party, believe the strategy employed by the current and prior governments has been unsuccessful.
The representative for South West Cork confirmed post the previous election, her party decided to withdraw from governmental negotiations due to a housing policy offered, which in their opinion was not successful. The question of whether her party was interested in interacting with the Green Party and others before official government program discourse commenced, followed a recent election. She confirmed that they would converse with all parties post-election though their primary concern wasn’t about which party to engage with first.
According to Ms Cairns the timing of the elections, whether in February or November, held little significance. She emphasised that the key issue was what would be proposed to the electorate prior to the actual polling day. She expressed that the party’s explicit objective was to participate in governing.
Ms Cairns did not provide a response when asked if she would urge her supporters to switch their allegiance to the Labour Party, given the widely acknowledged similarities in policies and speculation of a potential amalgamation between both parties. However, she did suggest she would endorse the concept of “vote left, transfer left” as per her comments.
She stated that the party had a well-defined proposal which didn’t constitute big tax reductions coupled with significant investment in public services. She indicated that the key priorities of the party were focused on housing, healthcare, the climate crisis, disability and childcare. She promised to improve housing and end beneficial agreements for investment funds through investment in the non-profit housing sector. She also announced plans by the Social Democrats to reveal their affordable housing strategy in the forthcoming weeks.
The representative further stated that there were plans to raise maternity benefit payments to €350 a week. She discarded the existing government’s idea of significant payments in the first month post childbirth as just “potential plans.” She also stated concerns regarding the late discussion around public childcare by the Coalition. Ms Cairns acknowledged that disability services were in dire straits and stressed the need for decisive action along with political determination to address this concern.